Manchester United kick off their Premier League campaign this weekend by welcoming Brighton to Old Trafford – Erik ten Hag’s competitive debut as the club’s manager.
The Dutchman has overseen an encouraging set of pre-season games and despite not adding to the squad as much as he would have liked to, he’ll be ready for the first real of his Old Trafford tenure.
United have a good record against Brighton at Old Trafford since they were promoted in 2017, losing none of the five meetings at the Theatre of Dreams.
They have been dramatic, however, and last season’s match-up was no exception. Ralf Rangnick, who had replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer two months earlier, was in desperate need of three points when Graham Potter’s side came to visit.
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The two sides went into the half-time break even, with a stunning fingertip save from David de Gea sparing United’s blushes.
That all changed after the interval, with Cristiano Ronaldo breezing past two Brighton players to give United the lead. Moments later, Anthony Elanga’s pressing saw Seagulls skipper Lewis Dunk receive his marching orders.
Bruno Fernandes doubled United’s lead with seconds to spare and United supporters will be desperate for a similar outcome this weekend.
Scrutiny on the club is increasing with each passing day amid another failed transfer window and Ten Hag cannot afford to go winless in his first outing.
