Man Utd 1 Brighton 2 LIVE RESULT: Cristiano Ronaldo can’t fire United to draw as Seagulls clinch historic win – reaction

Blues 'offer £59m plus Alonso for Utd target De Jong'

Chelsea have bid £59m plus Marcos Alonso for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, reports in Spain say.

Barca still need to cut their pay bill to register summer recruits like Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie.

And although the Spanish giants say they want to keep Manchester United target De Jong, freeing the Holland midfielder's wages would be a major financial boost.

Now it's claimed Chelsea are in contact with Barca, have made an offer and are willing to include Spain wing-back Alonso in any package.

Stats amazing

United had 63% of the possession and 17 goal-attempts - two more than Brighton - yet were still well-beaten.

The Red Devils also won the corner count, 6-2, despite the Seagulls' 2-1 away victory.

But Brighton's top performers, like ex-United striker Danny Welbeck and two-goal Pascal Gross, did far more than any of the home players.

That includes Red Devils' sub Cristiano Ronaldo, who helped United up their game but understandably lacked full fitness after so little pre-season training.

I'm a Fred you're not good enough

Paul Scholes labelled the performance of Scott McTominay and Fred ‘criminal’ as he stepped up the criticism of United’s midfield duo.

Fellow Red Devils’ legend Roy Keane has already blasted the pairing as not good enough following this afternoon’s 2-1 home defeat against a simply-better Brighton side.

And Scholes said: “Fred constantly giving the ball away.

“McTominay running with the ball in attack when he’s got Sancho, Rashford ahead of him.

“Should pass the ball to Eriksen. It’s criminal.”

Bayern rule out Sane joining Red Devils

Bayern Munich have dismissed talk of Manchester United nabbing Leroy Sane.

The Red Devils have been linked with the ex-Etihad winger, 26, who has 45 Germany caps.

But Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic told Sky90: “There's no truth to that. He’s an important player for us."

Utd interest in Arnautovic 'up to £6.8m'

Manchester United have made a surprise move to land former West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic.

The Red Devils are desperate to land a new central striker and have earmarked the 33-year-old Austrian who is currently with Bologna.

A move worth around £6.8million has been discussed by the two clubs but a deal has yet to be agreed.

Not surprisingly, Arnautovic is believed to be keen to be reunited with Erik Ten Hag at Old Trafford.

The pair previously worked together at FC Twente when current United No2 Steve McClaren was in charge.

He went on to play for Stoke and West Ham in the Premier League before moving to China in 2019 and he then went to Italy last season.

Maguire: We lacked creativity

Skipper Harry Maguire admits United lacked the creativity for their 'nightmare' first half' in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton.

The centre-back said: “We spoke about getting the next goal (at 2-0 down at the break).

"I think in the second half you saw good parts to our game but overall we didn’t do enough.

"We had a lot of pressure and a lot of ball but we need to be a bit more creative and we need to improve on that

“It’s something we need to address or it’ll keep happening."

Ten Hag insists Utd showed right attitude

Erik ten Hag claims it was mistakes not poor effort that cost United defeat at home to Brighton.

The Old Trafford boss told sky Sports. "I am not satisfied, totally not happy because we lost and it was totally not necessary. We should have done things better.

"I knew before it was not easy to construct it and develop it, this takes time but I know at the top you don't have time.

"The reaction in the second half we were acting as one team, we were battling for the result.

It wasn't that we didn't battle or didn't have the right attitude, we made mistakes.

"We have to take the lessons and learn from it."

Erik: Dismal defeat showed we're better WITH Ron

Erik ten Hag called United's opening-day 2-1 home loss to Brighton a 'real disappointment' and admitted they improved once wantaway legend Cristiano Ronaldo came on.

New boss Ten Hag is determined to keep Ronaldo but wants the 37-year-old to build u his fitness quickly.

The Dutchman told Sky Sports: "Definitely a setback. A real disappointment this but we have to deal with it.

"I knew from the start it would not be easy, it is a process and it takes time but we don't have time, we have to win games. We should have done it better.

"I analysed it and it was unnecessary how we gave away two easy balls. I think the organisation was a big mistake. We have to analyse and have to take the lessons."

And of Ronaldo, he added: "I think so. It was clear to see the second half we were better in the midfield with Eriksen down and Ronaldo up, then we created. It was a pity we didn't score then.

"It all takes time, you cannot force it. He is one week in training, a little bit more now. He has to do more to get fit and this game will help him. He will be better next week."

Chelsea 'make contact' with Barca over Frenkie

Chelsea are "ready to go big" in pursuing Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong after making contact with barcelona.

That's according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who also claims the Holland midfielder is in no mood to slash his wages as needed to stay at Barca.

The Red Devils remain favourites to land boss Erik ten Hag's former Ajax superstar.

And it's still thought De Jong would prefer to stay with the Spanish giants.

But Romano said: “Frenkie has no intention to accept a salary cut."

Maguire praises 'competition for places' at back

It might not be the best of circumstances to say it - but Harry Maguire chose the miserable 2-1 home loss against Brighton as the time to hail Lisandro Martinez's arrival.

Our man Kostas Lianos rated both Maguire and new centre-back partner Martinez just a 4 - with midfielder Fred's 3 the only lower mark.

But skipper Maguire told Sky Sports: “It’s great to have Lisandro Martinez at the club. We have competition for places at centre-back.

"We’ve not played much together and in that first period (2-0 down at half-time) we weren’t on the same wavelength.

"Centre-back partnerships are built over time and we will get a lot better and keep clean sheets.

“Everyone knew the task. We had a bad season last season.

"We’ve got a new manager trying to put his philosophy on the team but when we don’t get it right we look far too open.”

Scholes fries 'criminal' McFred

Paul Scholes labelled the performance of Scott McTominay and Fred 'criminal' as he stepped up the criticism of United's midfield duo.

Fellow Red Devils' legend Roy Keane has already blasted the pairing as not good enough following this afternoon's 2-1 home defeat against a simply-better Brighton side.

And Scholes said: “Fred constantly giving the ball away.

“McTominay running with the ball in attack when he’s got Sancho, Rashford ahead of him.

“Should pass the ball to Eriksen. It’s criminal.”

Potter hails 'deserved win'

Boss Graham Potter hailed Brighton's 'great performance and deserved win' at Old Trafford.

Pascal Gross' first-half double sunk United, with Alexis Mac Allister's own goal on 68 minutes the only reply.

Potter told Sky Sports: "I thought we had an idea of how to attack and when we could we tried to press and put them under pressure.

We were positive, brave and the boys gave everything. Our performance in the first half was really strong.

"They are going to put you under pressure (but) we had chances to attack better and make it three but we were able to stick in there at the end. It’s a nice start for us."

"We have got a good group, they are ambitious they are not perfect but they give everything."

Maguire admits it's 'worst possible start'

Skipper Harry Maguire singled out a 'nightmare first half' as he labelled United's 2-1 home loss to Brighton as 'the worst possible start'.

The England centre-back told Sky Sports: “We started well and on the front foot and had control of the game.

"Then we conceded the first goal and that knocked us badly. We stopped playing from then. We need to look at not letting that first goal set us back as much as it did.

"But we have to be better on the ball, we gave them encouragement to come forward and attack us. It was a nightmare start to be 2-0 down at half-time.

"It was the worst possible start to be 2-0 down at half-time at Old Trafford. Not good enough. We got a goal back but we huffed and puffed a bit and it’s a bad start for us."

“We started pretty the game well and on the front foot and as a team we had control of the game. Then we conceded the first goal."

Keane blasts Fred & McTominay

Old Trafford legend Roy Keane went straight to the heart of United's problem after Brighton's well-deserved 2-1 away win.

The ex-midfield hardman singled out the two main central players new boss Erik ten Hag has inherited.

Keano told Sky Sports: "Fred and McTominay are not good enough.

"They won't get Man Utd back competing at the top.

"We see it week in, week out."

Red Devils need a fully-fit Ronaldo

VERDICT: Cristiano Ronaldo declared himself ‘Ready’ on the eve of the season opener in a clear message to his new boss, writes MARTIN BLACKBURN.

But the question is – are Manchester United ready for life without their wantaway Portuguese superstar? And the over-riding feeling during the 52 minutes he spent on the bench while his team-mates toiled was ‘No’.

his introduction from the bench early in the second half gave the out-of-sorts Red Devils a fresh impetus. He wasn’t at his best – and after less than two weeks of training perhaps that is no surprise.

But there was enough to show why United are so steadfastly refusing to listen to offers for him this summer. Unless they can find someone to take on the goal-scoring mantle in the final three weeks of the transfer window, that is unlikely to change.

Ten Hag’s decision to use Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes as interchangeable false nines didn’t work – despite a bright opening.

It was a first half as bad as much of what we saw here last season.

At the other end another new boy - former Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez looked assured early on – but it didn’t last. The Argentine was given a tough time by former United striker Danny Welbeck.

Where did it all go Ron?

If ever a picture told a story...

Cristiano Ronaldo did, of course, get of the bench for the final 37 minutes - but it made little difference in United's 2-1 home loss to Brighton.

Piers blames Ron's team-mates

Cristiano Ronaldo's pal Piers Morgan suggests Man Utd showed why Cristiano Ronaldo wants out.

The TV presenter blasted: The problem is the rest of the squad aren’t fit to lace his boots in terms of quality, work ethic, commitment & will to win.

"That’s why he wants out, and who can blame him?"

That sparked a huge debate on social media - many agreeing with Morgan, but others pointing out that "no-one" seems to want 27-year-old legend Ronaldo.

And another fan hit out: "The McFred midfield will never win anything. Useless."

Focus on the future for ten Hag

Man Utd have to put this defeat behind them, but they have to learn from their mistakes.

If they do not, they will continue to keep making them.

They travel to Brentford in their next game, desperately in need of bouncing back to winning ways before welcoming fierce North West rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford.

Brighton welcome Newcastle to the Amex Stadium before they hit the road again, travelling to West Ham.

Away form was not an issue for Graham Potter's side last season but he will be keen to improve their home form, starting with Newcastle next weekend.

'As bad as any Prem team'

Roy Keane believes Manchester United are “as bad as any team in the Premier League” after watching their first half horror show against Brighton.

Cristiano Ronaldo only came on for the second half in the 2-1 loss.

Ex-United captain told Sky Sports: “United look very, very fragile. It’s the same problems. Questions about the personality of the team and the big problem is, out of possession, they look so open.

“They started OK and had a great chance. Fernandes has to hit the target.

“But after that Brighton have been excellent and Man United, gaps everywhere and so open it’s untrue.”

How Utd's subs fared

SUBS

Cristiano Ronaldo – 5

Ronaldo came off the bench amid the ongoing drama about his future.

But he didn’t manage to become the difference maker and questions remain as to where he will play this season.

Donny van de Beek - 5

Donny van de Beek came on late after 79 minutes and didn't have time to help United equalise.

Van de Beek can still hope for a comeback season under his former Ajax boss.

Tyrell Malacia - N/A

Came on late in the second half.

Anthony Elanga - N/A

Came on late in the second half.

Only sing when you're winning.....

Kudos to the away fans today who most definitely win 'chant of the day' at Old Trafford as they sang......

'Just like Brighton, your City is blue!!'

And the last of the starters...

Christian Eriksen – 5

Started as a false nine, which is quite an unknown position for the attacking midfielder.

Underwhelming debut as he also missed a shot from a promising position in the first half.

Ready for more, Red Devils' fans...?

Fred – 3

Very poor performance by Fred who almost caused a goal early on when he gave the ball away to Leandro Trossard inside the box.

Caused the second goal when he lost Gross, although he probably didn’t expect De Gea to to give the ball away.

Didn’t offer much in midfield and was rightly taken off early in the second half.

Jadon Sancho – 5

Nothing like his impressive performances during pre-season.

If anything, this reminded us a bit of last season’s performances.

Bruno Fernandes – 5

Not his usual influential self on the pitch as he couldn’t create danger.

Brighton’s defence did a good job keeping the playmaker at bay during a lively second half.

Marcus Rashford – 5

Marcus Rashford’s poor form continues from last season as he failed to score on two promising occasions from close distance.

United manager Ten Hag has a lot of work to do to help him rediscover his old form.

UTD RATINGS CONTINUED

Harry Maguire – 4

The United captain lost Danny Welbeck in the build-up to the first goal.

Maguire also picked up a silly yellow card when he shoved Gross during a spat.

Lisandro Martinez – 4

An underwhelming debut by Martinez as he lost Welbeck twice and that led to Brighton’s first.

Didn’t inspire security at the back as was hoped after United’s poor campaign last season. But he did improve in the second half.

Luke Shaw – 5

Pretty anonymous throughout the match, didn’t manage to produce much down the left flank.

We can expect him to have quite the competition with summer signing Malacia.

Scott McTominay – 5

Scott McTominay improved in the second half but didn’t manage to offer anything significant.

Was far better than his partner in the first half Fred.

MAN UTD RATINGS

Here's how our man Kostas Lianos saw the Red Devils' performances indivudually.

And it doesn't make good reading for Fred especially - nor for others like Harry Maguire and new boy Lisandro Martinez...

David de Gea – 6

Should have held on to Solly March’s shot in the build-up to Gross’ second goal.

But David de Gea was otherwise pretty solid in his reactions throughout.

Diogo Dalot – 5

Helped get one of the untidiest goals of the season already so far as his deflection led to Mac Allister's own goal.

But didn’t offer anything significant in defence and was quite toothless in attack. Struggled to combine with Ronaldo down the right flank.