New season, same full-time mood.
Manchester United made the worst possible start to the Erik ten Hag era on Sunday afternoon, losing 2-1 to Brighton at Old Trafford in their 2022/23 Premier League opener. Pascal Gross, who so often thrives when facing United, fired the Seagulls into a two-goal lead at half-time, netting an instinctive brace.
United, facing an uphill struggle, did source a route back into the contest just past the midway point of the second half courtesy of an Alexis Mac Allister own-goal. The Argentine put the ball into his own net after Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez flapped at Bruno Fernandes' corner.
READ MORE: Manchester United player ratings from Brighton defeat
Ten Hag, who has become the first United manager since Louis van Gaal to lose his first game in charge, saw his players up the ante after Mac Allister's own-goal, but they failed to find a way past Sanchez for a second time, meaning they lost their first game of a new season after losing their last of the season prior for the first time since 1973. It was an afternoon to forget, meaning a huge week on the training ground awaits Ten Hag and his players.
Although it was a disappointing start to the campaign, there were some moments that will be remembered. At the same time, however, there may have been some moments that you didn't spot. Here, MEN Sport has picked out four that you might have missed from Sunday's season opener.
Ten Hag's grand entrance
A year ago, it was Raphael Varane who made a rockstar entrance ahead of United's first game of the new campaign. This time around it was Ten Hag's turn.
The Dutchman, after watching his players stride out onto the hallowed Old Trafford turf, followed a few seconds later, emerging from the Stretford End tunnel to a wall of noise. He immediately turned and waved to the Stretford End, earning a rapturous reception in the process.
There was a bullish atmosphere inside the stadium and Ten Hag's entrance only cranked up the volume. As he made his way along the touchline to his technical area, there was even a high five from Fred the Red.
Avram Glazer in attendance
With a little over 15 minutes on the clock, the Sky Sports cameras spotted United co-owner Avram Glazer, with the 61-year-old putting in a very rare appearance in M16. He had not been present at a United game since Cristiano Ronaldo's homecoming fixture against Newcastle United last September.
Whether the fans had realised he was inside the stadium or not, they had already started singing anti-Glazer songs, chanting 'We want Glazers out'. Ahead of kick-off, several hundred United fans took part in a protest against the Glazers' ownership of the club, marching from MediaCity to Old Trafford.
The United Megastore was forced to close on two occasions after the protest arrived at Old Trafford. However, the shutters began to lift as the protest moved on.
Ronaldo rallies the troops
Glued to the substitutes' bench from the start he might have been, but that did not stop Ronaldo from trying to have an impact on proceedings after Gross' opener. As the German raced away to celebrate his first goal, the United No.7 tried to lift the mood among the team and fans.
He waved his arms up and down, almost trying to rally everyone and inspire a way back into the contest. Unfortunately for him, it failed to have the desired impact, as Gross netted his second less than 10 minutes later.
Brighton fans highlight United woes
A little over an hour into the new season, United's fans were reminded of just how big a challenge this is going to be for Ten Hag. Brighton, still 2-0 up at that point, were bossing possession and forcing United to chase them.
As those in red on the pitch huffed and puffed, attempting to get hold of the ball in the hope of staging a comeback, those in blue and white in the stands started to enjoy their day out up north. Every pass was greeted with an 'ole', highlighting just how big a challenge lies ahead for the new boss.
Given United have a plan to regain control in matches this season and dictate proceedings, this was not part of the script. Ten Hag will be hoping it's the last time the away fans can construct a chorus of 'oles', but on Sunday's evidence it most certainly won't be.
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