Roy Keane explains Manchester United's worst problem against Brighton during Erik ten Hag's first loss

Manchester United suffered an embarrassing defeat on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, losing 2-1 to Brighton at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag's first Premier League match as Manchester United manager did not go at all to plan, with the side looking a mess for large parts of what was a pretty dismal performance from the Red Devils.

Roy Keane, former captain and general club legend, as singled out the reason as to why the performance was so poor.

"The two in the middle of the park, all over the place,” Keane told Sky Sports.

"Out of possession Man United are as poor as any team in the Premier League."

“Fred and McTominay are not good enough. They won’t get Manchester United back competing. We see it week in, week out.”

He went on to explain in further detail why the side looked so poor.

"Man United look very, very fragile, same problems, question the personality in the team, the problem is out of possession they look so open.

"They started okay, great chance for Fernandes, he should hit the target. But after that, Brighton have been excellent, Man United gaps everywhere, so open it’s untrue."

He further details what he was hoping to see from United against Brighton, explaining: "You were hoping for more from Manchester United but it was the same shortcomings out of possession. Not good enough – giving away poor goals.

“But credit to Brighton, they were outstanding.”

One Brighton player who caused havoc for the United defensive line throughout the fixture was former Red Devil Danny Welbeck.

"Martinez and Maguire cannot deal with him, they don’t know whether to go short, go long," pundit Micah Richards explained.

Cristiano Ronaldo was brought on in the 53rd minute but Richards believes he should have been brought on at half-time.

Cristiano Ronaldo against Brighton. (Man Utd)

“Should be on at half-time definitely,” Richards explained.

“Get McTominay off, he’s on a yellow card getting overrun in the midfield, drop [Christian] Eriksen back into that midfield area I know they had a lot of possession but get Ronaldo in they need him.

"This shows you how much he’s worth for Man United.”

Manchester United are due to continue their Premier League campaign against Brentford in London next Saturday, with Erik ten Hag no doubt looking to get his side back to winning ways before the club face Liverpool on 22 August at Old Trafford.