It must be horrible. To be a Manchester United fan and witness your favourite club’s deterioration and decline that keeps on going. And the beginning of the season, it seems, doesn’t mean the old habits have gone but continue to torment the Red Devils’ fanbase.In front of their own supporters, Manchester United lost the maiden game of the new season against a mediocre Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1.Impotent, frustrating, excruciating…Too late… Cristiano comes in in the second half (©Michael Regan/Getty Images)Those are the most accurate ways to describe what Erik ten Hag’s slot displayed at Old Trafford, crumbling once more in front of a rival who’ll definitely spend the majority of the season far away from the top. This doesn’t mean Graham Potter’s team is weak or lousy, but for the club of United’s tradition and expected levels, this sort of an encounter should have ended in a totally different way.Alas, it was all over after just 45 minutes, with Pascal Gross bagging a brace from two simple yet efficient build-ups. Both times, he was left unmarked on far posts, finishing smoothly to kill United’s hopes with a lot of time left on the clock.32% of Pascal Gross’ PL goals have been against Man Utd (6 of 19) – Gross has scored once every 112 minutes against Man Utd & once every 809 minutes against other PL opponents#MUNBHA pic.twitter.com/49mMyVed7i— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) August 7, 2022 Ten Hag’s official EPL debut saw Man Utd without Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting XI, with Fred, Eriksen and McTominay struggling to create anything on the pitch. It left Rashford and Sancho far away from any action, while Bruno Fernandez kept a low profile after missing a sitter early on.Stubborn and meticulous Seagulls waited, on the other hand, for their share of chances and made the most of it, thanks to Gross. His opener came as a consequence of a perfectly executed counter-attack, with United’s defence providing him with all the necessary space and time to silence Old Trafford.Pascal Groß amazing goal vs Manchester UnitedBrighton-Manchester United: 1-0 pic.twitter.com/8bGLgmIgzw— Football passion (@Hustlerrs1) August 7, 2022 The same actors and – you won’t believe it – the same outcome shortly after, as Gross sealed a brace to stun the home crowd.🔵⚪️ GOAL!Pascal Gross gets his second goal of the game. This time on the left sideMan. Utd 0 – [2] #Brighton#MUNBHA | #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/2LJZ7iHgo8— Goal Replays (@footygolazos) August 7, 2022 In order to avoid his compatriot’s faith – Louis van Gal lost the maiden match of the season with United back in 2014 – Ten Hag tried to change the game’s momentum early in the second half. He finally put CR7 on, which did affect Red Devils’ rhythm and attitude on the turf.It resulted in a clear-cut chance for Rashford, who embarrassed himself in a one-on-one situation with the keeper, though the linesman flagged for offside.The VAR was consulted some ten minutes later, as Dalot exploited some surprising amounts of clumsiness in Brighton’s defence, following a set piece. Visiting keeper Sanchez and Mac Allister failed to clear the ball inside the six-yard box after Dalot’s awkward header, which resulted in a 2-1.Diogo Dalot goal, following chances from Rashford, Ronaldo and Eriksen. Man Utd back in it? pic.twitter.com/q7lVZM48KR— Football Night (@1Footballnight) August 7, 2022 Despite the fans’ expectations, the hosts just couldn’t make the complete comeback, as the Seagulls defended vigorously. A lack of ideas and creativity in the midfield kept United’s offence too far from the opposite box, with Lisandro Martinez almost levelling the score near the stoppage time. That was, unfortunately for them, the last opportunity to change the outcome, which disturbs everyone around Manchester United.PREMIER LEAGUE – Matchday 1FridayCrystal Palace – Arsenal 0-2 (0-1)/Martinelli 20, Guehi 85 og/SaturdayFulham – Liverpool 2-2 (1-0)/Mitrovic 32, 72 pen – Nunez 64, Salah 80/Tottenham – Southampton 4-1 (2-1)/Sessegnon 21, Dier 31, Salisu 60 og, Kulusevski 63 – Ward-Prowse 12/Newcastle – Nottingham.Forest 2-0 (0-0)/Schar 58, Wilson 78/Leeds – Wolverhampton 2-1 (1-1)/Rodrigo 24, Ait Nouri 74 og – Podence 6/Bournemouth – Aston Villa 2-0 (1-0)/Lerma 3, Moore 81/Everton – Chelsea 0-1 (0-1)/Jorginho 45+4 pen/SundayLeicester – Brentford 2-2 (1-0)/Castagne 33, Dewsbury-Hall 46 – Toney 62, Dasilva 86/Man Utd – Brighton 1-2 (0-2)/Mac Allister 68 og – Gross 30, 39/18.30: (9.50) West Ham (5.50) Man.City (1.35)***odds are subject to change
