Erik ten Hag “delivered nothing” and “looked lost” as he watched his Manchester United side lose their Premier League opener.
That’s the view of former Sky Sports anchor Richard Keys, who says the Dutchman hasn’t changed a thing since replacing Ralf Rangnick at the start of the summer. Hopes that Ten Hag could kick-off his reign with a positive result were quickly dismissed as a well-drilled and high-energy Brighton side put United to the sword, winning 2-1 to record their first ever Old Trafford victory.
For all of the talk of ruthless revolution, it was more of the same for United, with the likes of Scott McTominay, Fred and Harry Maguire all enduring difficult afternoons. Ten Hag was given a glimpse at the scale of the task on his hands, but fans won’t be pushing the panic button yet with hopes of further reinforcements on the way.
That hasn’t stopped Keys - now of beIN Sports - sticking the boot in though, claiming Seagulls boss Graham Potter comfortably got the better of him. He also ripped apart the decision to sign diminutive central defender Lisandro Martinez, who will need time to build a partnership with captain Maguire.
“Nothing has changed since Rangnick picked his last team,” Keys wrote in his weekly blog. “Nothing. No - I’m sorry. They’ve got a 5’8” centre-back that’s likely to have the a*** ripped out of him most weeks now that proper No.9’s are back in fashion. Who’s [sic] idea was that for goodness sake?
“Ten Hag has talked a good game since his appointment. He delivered nothing on Sunday. Have Brighton got a better squad? I don’t think so - but their coach got them playing. Ralph ten Hag looked lost on that touch line.”
In fairness to Ten Hag, he pulled no punches when assessing his side’s performance: "It is a hell of a job. We have to work really hard, analyse then move forward," the ex- Ajax manager said.
"Of course definitely a setback and real disappointment. I knew from the start it would not be easy. We gave two easy balls away and it was not good in the organisation.
"It is clear to see the second half we were better in midfield with [Christian] Eriksen down and [Cristiano] Ronaldo up. We created and [Marcus] Rashford had two good chances, it is a shame we did not score. I am not satisfied, totally not. We lost and it was not necessary. We should do better."
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The new United boss was asked about potential incomings, with the likes of Adrien Rabiot and Mark Arnautovic linked with moves. "We could do better with the players we had,” he explained. We made mistakes on the ball and organisation mistakes in defending.
“We have to take the lessons and learn quickly from it. Brighton are a decent team, all the compliments, but I look to my team and we should not give two easy goals away."
