Erik ten Hag might be forced into Manchester United decision he doesn't like

"It's a hell of a job," Erik ten Hag conceded after his first game in charge of Manchester United against Brighton last season.

Ten Hag was given a reality check on the opening day of the 2022/23 campaign when Brighton claimed a victory at Old Trafford and it showed him the competitiveness of the Premier League is a world away from the Eredivisie.

Harry Maguire, Fred and Scott McTominay started that game, while Christian Eriksen played as a false nine. Jadon Sancho played on the right wing and the current, regularly picked starting line-up looks completely different now.

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Brighton subsequently secured the highest finish in their club's history and Europa League football and with the benefit of hindsight, that opening-day defeat was always likely given the personnel involved and the Seagulls' success.

United had to wait another eight months to play Brighton again when the two sides met in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, but that game ended 0-0 and needed penalties, despite chances having been created at both ends.

The Reds won the shootout 7-6 and making the FA Cup final atoned for the opening day defeat against Brighton, although just a few weeks later, the South Coast club had the final laugh when they completed a league double.

Brighton won 1-0 at the Amex to complete their first ever league double over United and that narrow win came in dramatic circumstances after Luke Shaw handled the ball in the penalty area to gift a 99th-minute winner.

That late goal was a kick in the teeth and it meant Brighton ended the season with claims of being better than United.

The Premier League table doesn't lie and Brighton finished 13 points behind Ten Hag's side, but