Paul Scholes hammered Scott McTominay and Fred after Manchester United slipped to a disappointed defeat to Brighton in their Premier League next season opener.

Erik ten Hag endured a horrible first serious game as United manager as his Red Devils side were beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Pascal Gross scored two goals in nine first-half minutes as Brighton took a directing lead which drove the home side to be booed off at half-time.

United, who finished sixth last season, improved after the break but were unable to mount a comeback despite Alexis Mac Allister’s unfortunate own goal.

It was Brighton’s first-ever win at the Theatre of Dreams and marked a deflating start to the Ten Hag era at Manchester United.

Scholes described United’s first-half performance as ‘shambolic’ and singled out midfield duo McTominay and Fred for criticism.

“It was a shocking start for Man United and the first half was shambolic really, Scholes told Premier League productions. “The signs were there right from the first few minutes that this was going to be bad.

“McTominay was always trying to run with the ball, ridiculous. The quality in the middle of the pitch was really poor.

“I was happy he didn’t get sent off [for a high challenge] but I think he was slightly lucky. Again, he’s running with the ball, absolutely ridiculous.

“It could easily have been a red card. The quality in the middle of the pitch was nowhere near good enough but we’ve seen that for the last few years with these two players.

“With Fred and McTominay, he [Ten Hag] is going to have to go with just one of them but even one of them is probably too many.

“Fred gives the ball away all the time and McTominay’s trying to run with the ball constantly and then gives it away. Pass it to your best players! It’s not that difficult. It’s criminal on a day like today.”

Source: Metro

Manchester United on Sunday fell to a deserved defeat to Brighton as the Erik ten Hag started in defeat for the new manager.

It was a dismal display, and the visitors took full advantage as Pascal Gross twice scored in the first half to confirm the Seagulls’ first ever win over United.

Ronaldo, who started on the bench, was introduced before the hour mark but could not inspire the comeback.

Man Utd vs Brighton Highlights

New Manchester City signing Erling Haaland marked his Premier League debut with a double as the champions began their title defence with a clinical 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s City were awarded a penalty after 36 minutes when Haaland charged past the West Ham defence to latch onto a through ball and take it around Alphonse Areola before being fouled by the substitute goalkeeper.

The Norwegian striker stepped up to convert the spot kick, his cool finish sending Areola the wrong way to give City a deserved lead after an utterly dominant first half in which West Ham were rarely able to venture from their own box.

West Ham vs Man City Highlights

Line-up

West Ham XI: Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Cresswell, Johnson; Rice, Soucek; Fornals, Lanzini, Bowen, Antonio.

Subs: Areola, Ashby, Coventry, Randolph, Downes, Okoflex, Vlasic, Scamacca, Benrahma,

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Foden, Haaland, Grealish.

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Phillips, Stones, Alvarez, Silva, Mahrez, Palmer, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand.