Yet another new era begins for United this afternoon as Erik ten Hag’s make his competitive bow as manager. It’s been a busy, and frustrating, first few months in the role for the Dutchman, who has had to contend with Cristiano Ronaldo demanding to leave and not showing up, and top transfer target Frenkie de Jong seemingly doing anything but join.
Pre-season has been a positive one, though, with a number of good performances – both as a group and on an individual level – with Ten Hag’s methods clearly already having an impact. The perfect start today would be a comfortable win, though Brighton made easy work of United earlier this year and will be sensing another opportunity.
However, since then, Graham Potter has lost influential midfielder Yves Bissouma and defender Marc Cucurella, so the new iteration of Brighton has a few questions to answer. Follow the game LIVE with Standard Sport below!
Live updates
67min: Close! Eriksen has a pop from the distance which Sanchez parries and Ronaldo can’t tuck home.
64min: Another chance for Rashford, but far harder as he’s on the stretch trying to volley home Eriksen’s deep cross.
WHAT A SAVE!
60min: Rashford looks certain to score after being played in by Ronaldo, but Sanchez makes himself big to deny him.
55min: Somehow Martinez doesn’t give away a penalty. Looked stonewall, that.
54min: Ronaldo replaces Fred. McTominay, on a booking, stays on.
Eriksen moves deeper.
52min: Ronaldo is coming on.
50min: Better from United as they work it across the penalty area, first setting up Rashford and then Fernandes but Brighton clear both times.
48min: Brighton aren’t sitting back! They are buzzing around United and come close to a third as Welbeck flashes a header wide.
46min: Ronaldo is straight down the touchline to warm up.
Second half
No changes at the break and we’re back underway.
