8 Unfavourable Records: Erik Ten Hag’s Man Utd After Just 5 Games in 2023/24 Season
Including Brighton's 3-1 Defeat
Brighton secured an impressive 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, further compounding the challenges faced by Erik ten Hag’s team after a tumultuous fortnight.
Before the clash on the field, there were off-field issues involving Manchester United players and their counterparts. The Sancho-ten Hag issues, Anthony allegations, and the general atmosphere of unrest loomed large.
However, Brighton was having none of the distractions as they piled on the misery for Manchester United, shifting the focus back to on-field matters in a Saturday afternoon clash.
Goals from Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross, and Joao Pedro added to the Red Devils’ woes, with only a late consolation goal by Hannibal Mejbri providing a semblance of solace.
This comprehensive defeat marked the end of Manchester United’s 31-game unbeaten home run in all competitions and served as a stark reminder of the last time they suffered a league defeat at Old Trafford, coincidentally in Ten Hag’s first match in charge.
The match, however, was just one facet of Manchester United’s struggles this season, as they have already set numerous unfavorable records after just five games:
1. Manchester United had never tasted defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until Erik Ten Hag took charge.
2. The team hadn’t lost their opening two away games since the 1973-74 season, until Erik Ten Hag’s tenure.
3. Manchester United hadn’t conceded more than one goal in four consecutive league games since 1979, a streak broken under Ten Hag’s management.
4. The Red Devils had never conceded two goals in the opening four minutes of a Premier League game at Old Trafford until Erik Ten Hag’s arrival.
5. Manchester United had never allowed an opposing team 23 shots in a single game at Old Trafford in Premier League history, until Erik Ten Hag’s tenure.
6. The team had never lost to Brighton at Old Trafford, until Erik Ten Hag’s arrival.
7. Brighton had never secured consecutive wins at Old Trafford, a feat achieved under Ten Hag’s management.
8. Manchester United had never lost at least three of their opening five matches in the Premier League until this season (3L, 2W).
With just five games into the season, the eighth record speaks volumes of Manchester United’s turbulent start, possibly signaling a period of instability and challenges for the club.
