ERIK TEN HAG admits he has a ‘hell of a job’ on his hands after Manchester United slumped to an opening day defeat.
Skipper Harry Maguire blasted a ‘nightmare start’ as Pascal Gross struck twice to give Brighton a first win at Old Trafford in 113 years.
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New boss Ten Hag pointed to costly individual errors and warned fans the team’s problems cannot be turned around quickly.
The Red Devils were booed off at the interval while there were more jeers at the end despite an improved second half.
Ten Hag said: “It is a hell of a job.
“It’s definitely a set-back. It’s a real disappointment and we have to deal with it.
“I am not satisfied, totally, because we lose and it’s not necessary. We should have done things better.
“We gave two easy balls away and the organization was a big mistake. We made it clear how to deal with situations. It was unnecessary.
“We have to take the lessons and learn quickly from it. We don’t have time and we have to deliver.”
Ten Hag defended his decision not to start with Cristiano Ronaldo, who declared himself ready to start on the eve of the game.
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The former Ajax boss picked debutant Christian Eriksen to lead the line — with Anthony Martial injured.
United improved after Ronaldo was introduced in the 52nd minute and they pulled one back through an Alexis MacAllister own goal.
The United boss said: “Cristiano is now maybe ten days in team training and too short for 90 minutes. You can’t force it.”
Maguire and new centre-back partner Lisandro Martinez had a difficult afternoon against former United man Danny Welbeck.
Maguire said: “It was a nightmare start to be 2-0 down at half-time.
“It’s the worst possible start. It was not good enough.
“It’s definitely a set-back. It’s a real disappointment and we have to deal with it.”
Erik ten Hag
“We huffed and puffed and got one back — but it’s a bad start.
“The first goal knocked us back really badly. They got a lot of control.”
United fans protested outside the stadium before kick-off with a huge banner which read: “Fight greed, fight for United, fight Glazer.”
And frustrations spilled into the stands with a fight breaking out between United fans during the game.
Former United captain Roy Keane said: “There were more protests — big problems at the club.
“It’s a really bad start. Ten Hag needs time and money. There are huge issues upstairs.”
Club icon Gary Neville added: “It was unacceptable to hand Ten Hag that squad for the start to the season. The reality has hit home.
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“The time has come for the Glazer family to sell the football club.
“Manchester United are the easiest team to play against in the league. For that first goal, Fred and Scott McTominay are chasing back.
“How are they in that position? I was in absolute disbelief. They are ripped through like a knife through butter.”
United legend Paul Scholes blasted: “McTominay running with the ball in attack when he’s got Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford ahead of him is criminal.”
Seagulls boss Graham Potter followed up the 4-0 win over United at the Amex in May by clinching this historic victory at Old Trafford.
He hailed Welbeck who was a doubt for the game with a stomach bug.
Potter said: “He would have strapped the toilet on to his backside to play, it would have slowed him down though. He was amazing.”