Ten Hag looking ahead after Brighton defeat

Seagulls midfielder Pascal Gross netted twice in the space of 10 minutes during the first half, before Alexis Mac Allister put through his own net to halve the deficit during the second period.

Bruno Fernandes, plus debutant pairing Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez, all had chances for Ten Hag's side, with the focus now quickly switching to United's next clash with Brentford next weekend.

Scroll down to see what he had to say to MUTV, plus other media outlets, following today's defeat...

AN UNNECESSARY RESULT
''Disappointed, it is clear. We of course had other expectations but that happens and this is also a process, it takes time and we have to work really hard. This result was unnecessary.''

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
''It wasn't the defending. We defend as a team and we made passing mistakes that were unnecessary in the midfield, then they took over. We have to be better at organisation because we have made appointments and they have to do the job which we talked about, which they have been appointed to do. That is not what we did and then we got punished. The same with the second goal, it was totally unnecessary from a ball that was loose in the corner on the other side. It is not good that you then go on and concede a goal.''

TACTICAL SWITCH
''It was clear to see that in the second half we were better in the midfield, with Christian Eriksen back down and Cristiano Ronaldo further up. Then we create and [Marcus] Rashford had two really good chances and it's a pity we didn't score to make it 2-2.''

CRISTIANO'S FITNESS
''It takes time. We cannot force it and one week in training, a little bit more now, he has to do more to get fit and this game will help him. The 35 to 40 minutes he had now and now we have one week and he will be better next week.''

THE TASK AHEAD
''No, it is still the same. I knew before this is not easy to construct it, to develop it, to build it. This takes time - I know this - and I also know in this job you do not have time, you have to deliver. We are aware of the situation.''

STICKING TOGETHER
''I said it after the game in the dressing that in the game, the reaction in the second half we are acting as one team, we are battling for a better result, and I have made that clear, but also in the first half. It's not about that we didn't battle or that we didn't have the right attitude we just made mistakes. On the ball, passing mistakes and organisation when defending.''

OLD TRAFFORD AURA
''I think the atmosphere was great and they were behind the team and supported the team. You can feel the fight in the stadium and it was great. Ultimately they deserved the equaliser and also from that perspective we are really disappointed.''

LESSON LEARNED
''That is what we have to do, we have to deal with the setback and we have to learn from the mistakes and we have to move forward. We have to deal with it and I knew from the start that it would not to be easy, it takes time but you don't have time and we have to win games.''