Manchester United 1-2 Brighton, Erik Ten Hag Indirectly Admits Wrong Strategy

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. (Photo: Manchester United official website)

JAKARTA - Erik ten Hag's first match as manager of Manchester United in the English Premier League ended in disaster. The club nicknamed the Red Devils surrendered to Brighton and Hove Albion with a score of 1-2, Sunday, August 7.

Disappointing again, the defeat occurred in front of Manchester United supporters who packed the Old Trafford Stadium.

In this match, Ten Hag fielded a slightly "odd" composition of players. He installed Cristian Eriksen as a lone striker from the start.

"As a striker, it could be Bruno but I think his choice is Eriksen. He's done this before and can really play that role," Ten Hag said before the game, as reported by the club's official website.

However, this strategy did not work as expected. Ten Hag then made changes by placing Eriksen back in midfield in the 53rd minute.

While the striker position was given to Cristiano Ronaldo who came in to replace Fred. As a result, the Red Devils' attacks are more lively.

Eriksen even became the creator of the golden opportunity that was achieved by Marcus Rashford. Unfortunately, that opportunity failed to be used as a goal.

"It was clear in the second half we were better in midfield with Eriksen coming on and Ronaldo going forward," he told Sky Sports after the game.

"We created (chances) and Rashford had two good chances. Too bad we didn't score (at that time)," continued the Dutch manager.

In this match, Manchester United conceded two goals through the action of Pascal Gross in the 30th and 39th minutes. The new hosts could score a goal in the 68th minute thanks to MacAllister's own goal in the 68th minute.