It was the same old story of wailing and lamentations for Manchester United, as they opened their Premier League campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to visiting Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford.

The Seagulls were the better side on the opening period as Pascal Gross scored a brace in the space of nine minutes (30th and 39th) to give Brighton the lead which they took as the half ended.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag who had benched Cristiano Ronaldo before kick-off, subbed him on for Fred in a bid to rescue the tie and the Red Devils pulled a goal back through a mix-up as Alexis Mac Allister put the ball into his own net.

The defeat further exposes the deficiencies inherent in Manchester United’s squad and Erik ten Hag needs to fix them as quickly as possible, if they are to contend for honours this season.

🔴 Live Blog:

FULL-TIME AT OLD TRAFFORD: Manchester 1-2 Brighton and Hove Albion

68′ MIN: Back in it! The ball bounces off Diogo Dalot and as Robert Sanchez tries to clear, he pushes it onto team-mate Alexis Mac Allister and over the line.

MUNBHA

GOOOAAALLL!!! Manchester United 1-2 Brighton (A. Mac Allister)

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AT OLD TRAFFORD: Manchester United 0-2 Brighton and Hove Albion

HALF-TIME AT OLD TRAFFORD: Manchester United 0-2 Brighton and Hove Albion

39′ MIN: It’s that man again! Pascal Gross finds the back of the net to give the visitors a healthy cushion. It is his sixth goal against the Red Devils!

GOOOAAALLL!!! Manchester United 0-2 Brighton and Hove Albion (P. Gross)

30′ MIN: Leandro Trossard releases Danny Welbeck down the left-hand side, and he squares the ball for Pascal Gross to pass into the net.

GOOOAAALLL!!! Manchester United 0-1 Brighton and Hove Albion (P. Gross)

KICK-OFF AT OLD TRAFFORD: Manchester United 0-0 Brighton and Hove Albion

The Seagulls begin life without Spanish defender Marc Cucurella, who left to join West London outfit Chelsea in a big-money move. Nonetheless, familiar faces such as Leandro Trossard, Pascal Gross, Adam Lallana and Lewis Dunk are all in the Starting XI.

Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has named Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, while Bruno Fernandes will be in the false nine role. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho will provide attacking support for Fernandes, while new summer signing Lisandro Martinez makes his first start.