Own-goal opens United account for 2022/23
Manchester United bagged our first goal of the new season against Brighton & Hove Albion, through an own-goal, but suffered a 2-1 home defeat.
Ultimately, it proved insufficient in pegging back the Seagulls, following a first-half double by Pascal Gross.
A scramble in the box saw the ball hit Diogo Dalot and roll goalwards, only for Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez to divert the ball into his own net via Alexis Mac Allister.
90 in 20: United v Brighton
Extended highlights of Sunday’s match against Brighton are now available to view…
It is the first time United have kicked off the season with an own goal since 2015/16.
Back then, it was Kyle Walker who turned it into his own goal in what would be the only goal of the game at home to Tottenham Hotspur, when he beat Wayne Rooney to the ball but deflected it into an unguarded net.
Mac Allister’s unfortunate error marks just the second own-goal to ever open United’s seasonal goal account since the Premier League was established in 1992.
Ten Hag's reign may be in its infancy but there were also a couple of own-goals during the pre-season friendlies, against Melbourne Victory and Aston Villa.
The Reds still came up short on Sunday but will be regrouping and looking for a positive response at Brentford next Saturday teatime.