Twitter explodes as Brighton shock Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United with historic 2-1 win at Old Trafford
Manchester United stumbled to a 2-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion with Cristiano Ronaldo having started on the bench in the side's season opener.
All eyes were on how United would fare without a recognized centre-forward in an intriguing line-up selected by Erik ten Hag.
Wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo was chosen to start on the substitutes bench.
This meant the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen would be required to form a shifting attack.
It was Brighton's attack that looked the more threatening throughout the first half despite an early glaring opportunity for Fernandes in the sixth minute.
Graham Potter's side would take a deserved lead in the 29th minute through Pascal Gross, which stunned United fans.
Danny Welbeck's cross was tapped in from close range by the German and an all too familiar feeling crept around Old Trafford.
Nine minutes later, Gross grabbed a second with Manchester United looking shellshocked defensively.
The Seagulls' pressure was becoming all too much for United defenders to deal with.
Erik ten Hag must have gotten into his players at half-time because it was a better showing from the Red Devils in the second half.
Cristiano Ronaldo was introduced early in the second half but failed to stamp his mark on the game.
United earned a scrappy goal back to give themselves hope in the 68th minute.
The ball bounced around the Brighton box following a corner and ended up deflecting in off Alexis Mac Allister.
Ten Hag's side continued to attack but couldn't find the all-important equalizer with the Seagulls claiming a famous Old Trafford victory.
Brighton deserved all three points but United fans are less than impressed. Here are some reactions from Twitter:
If Maguire, Shaw or McTominay start more than 20 games we won’t do fuck all.
You OK, mate @rioferdy5 ?
Christian Eriksen alone in the deeper role did far more in 37 minutes than Fred and McTominay did in 53 minutes combined.
Says it all about Man Utd's midfield.
Low-key that result was a good thing (crying inside). ten Hag seeing the light on certain players as early as possible rather than him trusting them only to bottle it down the line.
Ten hag talking about the united squad to his mrs https://t.co/qC3iGpLnwO
Lisandro Martinez trying to stop Brighton's attack https://t.co/OXsAXjjLPm
Ten Haag it’s not too late to cook crystal meth
1 - Erik ten Hag is the first Manchester United manager to lose his first Premier League game in charge since Louis van Gaal in August 2014 against Swansea City. Setback. https://t.co/hOXpr8wRdm
hopefully he's realised both this and that de gea is dogshit. twitter.com/UtdFaithfuls/s…
Welcome to the Premier League, ten Hag.
#MUNBHA
Ten Hag's first league game and he's set a record, albeit not the kind you want.
And our fans watch this game and think Martial-Rashford-Sancho will get us the goals? Funny. https://t.co/qsZ6v1o4xA
Better 2nd half. Ten Hag has a lot to do with the midfield. Scott and Rashford should be his immediate casualties, rather work to develop other youngsters.
Brilliant performance from @OfficialBHAFC winning for the first time at @ManUtd. Well played.
Cristiano Ronaldo is not the ‘problem’ at Manchester United.
The problem is the rest of the squad aren’t fit to lace his boots in terms of quality, work ethic, commitment & will to win.
That’s why he wants out, and who can blame him? @Cristiano
Very naive of Ten Hag to think McFred is it! Very very naive!! #ManUnited #EPL2022 #MUFC
ten Hag should make some really extreme decisions and drop that midfield, Maguire and Shaw altogether.
#MUNBHA #TenHag #MUFC
It's almost as if being Bangkok century world champions meant nothing! Bullshit @ManUtd
Welbeck stretched Maguire and Martinez today
"Lisandro Martinez chose us over Arsenal" 😭
FT 1-2 Brighton https://t.co/rs13QE64Rs
Martinez must be called ‘The Butcher’ because he’s going to butcher United’s chance at top 6
De gea very sus on that second goal. So terrible
"It's just the 1st game, trust the process. Ten Hag will save Man Utd."
https://t.co/V4RXf6KsmR
Same old mistakes for Manchester United with Cristiano Ronaldo pondering his future
Manchester United fans would have been enthused by their pre-season performances.
A 4-0 demolition of Liverpool at the very start, coinciding with a specific posession-based style of play, excited Old Trafford fans.
But today's showing against Brighton has brought back all the negativity that surrounded the 13-time Premier League winners throughout last season.
Scott McTominay and Fred's midfield partnership is beginning to tire United fans and rightfully so on the basis of today's performances.
McTominay could have seen red for a reckless first-half challenge and Fred was chasing shadows throughout.
Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure on the bench and failed to make a mark on the pitch. With a few weeks still left in the transfer window, he will be pondering about his future at the club.