Manchester United continued their difficult start to the season yesterday afternoon, falling to a 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton at Old Trafford.
Erik Ten Hag's side were outplayed for the vast majority of the game, with the visitors dictating the pace of play and creating most of the scoring opportunities. In the end, the two-goal margin of victory in no way flattered the away team.
While Brighton have been flying so far in this campaign, it has been a very different story for Manchester United. This result means that they have lost three of their first five Premier League fixtures and are already losing pace in the top four race.
The most concerning factor for their supporters up to this point will likely be the lack of cohesion in the side. It is true that they are missing a number of players due to injury, but the side selected yesterday was a strong one that was without only a couple of guaranteed starters.
Erik ten Hag makes ridiculous Brighton claim after loss
Erik ten Hag is coming under increasing pressure as a result of this recent Manchester United run.
While there is no suggestion that his job is in jeopardy, there was noticeable discontent around Old Trafford as a result of some of his decisions yesterday, most notably the move to substitute new striker Rasmus Hojlund in the 64th minute. That substitution drew quite loud boos from the stands.
As well as that, the Dutchman's list of excuses for their poor results is already starting to wear thin. He has blamed injuries, refereeing decisions, and his players for their performances without taking any accountability himself.
He called on his players to step up once again after the most recent defeat, although it was a comment he made about Brighton that has garnered the most attention.
When asked after the game if his side were underperforming considering the amount of money they had spent, he suggested that his opponents had also spent money to put together their side.
I think all the teams are spending a lot of money.
I think also Brighton, they spend money as everyone is doing and when Man United is coming, it inflates the price and that is also the truth...
Definitely (the start to the season) is something that bothers me. But also I have to see the way we play.
But finally it's about character then. Now we have to see how strong we are, how the team sticks together and which players are standing up and showing the character and leading the team.
Because in all the games, all the games but especially the games today, against Arsenal and Forest, we have seen we can play very good and we can create a lot of chances.
But, yes, there are also some improvements to make. That is definitely the case and now we have to step up.
Of course, this claim has been quickly dismissed.
Remarkably, Brighton's starting XI at Old Trafford yesterday cost a grand total of less than £20million.
“Brighton have spent money”
Brighton’s starting 11 yesterday 😂
£16.2m total cost https://t.co/qatpmxmUxt pic.twitter.com/qQhrObRtQx— . (@LFCRELATED__) September 17, 2023
Admittedly, their third goal was scored by substitute Joao Pedro, who cost a club record fee of £30million during the summer. In saying that, there were six players in the Manchester United starting XI that were signed for more than that amount.
As well as that, Brighton took in far more money than they have spent over the last few years due to the sales of the likes of Moises Caiceido, Alexis Mac Allister, Marc Cucurella, and Ben White to name but a few.
None of this reflects well on Erik ten Hag. Whereas his counterpart Roberto De Zerbi has put together a remarkable team consisting of inexpensive players, Manchester United continue to look like a mess despite their manager having a net spend of over £350million since the summer of 2022.
In all, many felt these comments were the latest in a long line of excuses for the club's recent blip.
Ten Hag is losing it if he is blaming Brighton’s spending power. Entire Brighton XI yesterday cost £17m… that’s a fifth of what Anthony cost! https://t.co/fpAiEIXWPG
— FFJoe 🇺🇦 (@FFScout_Joe) September 17, 2023
nah wait this guy really is cracking under the lights. I really do appreciate this Arteta guy. https://t.co/jlig5crG30
— Femi (@FemooAFC) September 16, 2023
Just seen this. Absolutely sensational. Approaching ten Ten Hags out of ten on the Ten Hag meter: chucks out a lie about another club and says his players aren't worth what Utd paid for them. I assume he also mentioned the disallowed goal and Jadon Sancho? https://t.co/nj8Rdt8RrO
— Cartoon Steve Bould 🇺🇦 (@CartoonBouldy) September 17, 2023
Brighton have spent money? Where? While playing Monopoly? 😭 https://t.co/viLf6Yy4fY
— Pranay Singh (@thepranaysingh) September 17, 2023
Brighton sold Caicedo and MacAllister in the summer, didn’t have Estupinan, Enciso or March yesterday, Ferguson was on the bench and yet they trotted to Old Trafford and schooled United in front of their own fans. Ten Hag should be absolutely ashamed to make a statement like… https://t.co/8ZdsiqvhfI
— Mehul Gupta 🏆🏆🏆 (@mehulg10) September 17, 2023
How is his excuse book literally going under the radar so much!?!?
Not Ten Hag saying that Brighton have spent money when Man United spend £200m+ every single summer. 😂😂 https://t.co/NMR1dGzuKi— Rebekka (@rebekkarnold) September 16, 2023
They inflate the price for United because you spent €100 million on Antony, you charlatan. https://t.co/pJeSH6XTSa
— (Sham) (@Shamsdale) September 16, 2023
While we are only a handful of games into the new campaign, Manchester United already look to be heading into a pivotal period in their season.
Erik ten Hag will be hoping that his players can produce a level of performance that they have yet to manage during this most recent run.
SEE ALSO: Neil Lennon Launches Rant On 'Precious' Jadon Sancho For Erik Ten Hag Outburst
