Early blow for ten Hag as Man Utd succumb to Brighton

It's a result that will be extra tough for United to take as the visitors had a potential winner ruled out in the 70th minute for an almost comical offside.

Alejandro Garnacho's shot from a tight angle was heading into an empty net when it deflected off the knee of the sliding Joshua Zirkzee just before it crossed the line – causing the goal to be ruled out as the Dutch striker was offside.

Zirkzee had come on as a sub to score an 87th-minute winner against Fulham in United's season opener and the summer signing was once again on the bench at Brighton, with ten Hag playing Bruno Fernandes as a false nine instead.

It was a former United forward who opened the scoring, as Danny Welbeck was on hand to slot in a cross from Kaoru Mitoma in the 32nd.

Welbeck nearly doubled Brighton's lead when his header from a corner hit the crossbar in the 58th, and United equalised from a quick counter-attack just two minutes later.

Amad Diallo cut in from the right and saw his shot deflected into the net by the sliding Jan Paul van Hecke.