Ten Hag dismisses 'crisis' talk as United's troubles mount

MANCHESTER, England — Never before in the Premier League era had Manchester United lost three of its first five games at the start of a season.

Losing 3-1 to Brighton on Saturday, Erik ten Hag's team wrote its name into the club's history books for the wrong reasons.

It was no surprise then that the United manager was asked afterward if this losing run represented a crisis.

"No," was his response. "But we have to be very disappointed and we have to be very annoyed with ourselves. Because at United the demand is you win games."

United's fans certainly seemed annoyed. First they jeered when $82 million striker Rasmus Hojlund was replaced by substitute Anthony Martial in the second half. And there were more boos after the final whistle blew on the latest defeat.

Goals from Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro secured Brighton's fourth straight win against United in the league, with Hannibal Mejbri scoring a consolation for the home team.

The result left United 13th in the standings with six points, while Brighton moved up to fourth, just three points behind leader Manchester City.

United was in danger of dropping further down the table depending on Chelsea's result on Sunday, and a season that began with hopes of a title challenge is already in danger of unraveling.

Ten Hag had led the club back into the Champions League in his first year in charge and also won the League Cup. But off-field issues involving Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and Antony have cast an unwanted shadow over the club, while performances on the field have also been disappointing.

That form continued against a Brighton team that saw late chances for Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson and Ansu Fati saved by goalkeeper Andre Onana.

"We could score more goals, especially in the last 25 minutes," said manager Roberto De Zerbi, who added: "The result, I think, is true."

Ten Hag is now preparing for a tough week when United plays at Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday before a trip to Burnley on Saturday.

"There are things from the team and individuals who have to step up," he said. "Sometimes you are in a bad period, difficult periods, and you have to face that and deal with that. In this moment we don't deal too well with it, but we can do like we showed last year.

"We can't blame anyone else, we have to do better and be more determined, more resilient."

Spurs soaring

Ange Postecoglou extended his unbeaten streak in home matches to 50 games but only after Tottenham Hotspur scored twice deep in stoppage time to beat Sheffield United 2-1.

The Australian coach's extraordinary record spanning stints with Yokohama F Marinos in Japan and Celtic in Scotland looked about to end. However, goals by Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski turned things around to continue the feel-good factor at the north London club, which is second in the Premier League table.

Postecoglou's sides have won 42 of their last 50 home games and he was asked if that was one of the reasons Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy hired him.

"I've got more than one strength," Postecoglou said. "It's funny you say that because I do put a big emphasis on that, wherever I've been.

"Ultimately for your supporters, as much you enjoy the away wins because you've got to earn every one of them, it's when they come to their home ground that you want to reward them.

"I've been very fortunate that at the last three clubs I've had we've had — even in Japan — 30,000 to 40,000 (spectators) and at Celtic they're always sold out, and it creates an atmosphere.

"I think that helps you as a club if you're really strong at home so it's something I'm proud of."

Spurs had 28 goal attempts on Saturday and although they left it late to fight back from 1-0 down, their style of soccer again had fans purring, especially after the sterile displays of last season.

"You can track back my career as long as you want, my teams have always played in a certain way and I think for every club that has appointed me they've appointed me because that's what they're seeking," Postecoglou said.

"It's everything for me. The way we play, it's not just that I believe it's what gets you success, it does, but it also requires a fair bit of bravery and courage, a real relentlessness.

"That has to marry with the image of the football club."

Comeback kids

City and Liverpool also staged comebacks to continue to lead the way with Spurs.

Second-half goals from Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland maintained City's 100 percent start in a 3-1 win at West Ham after going behind to James Ward-Prowse's header in the 36th minute.

Liverpool also responded to going behind after Hwang Hee-chan opened the scoring for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the seventh minute. Second-half strikes from Cody Gakpo and Andy Robertson, as well an own-goal by Hugo Bueno in stoppage time, secured a 3-1 win for the Reds.

Agencies