Man United manager Ten Hag has been hit by a slew of problems in a troubled start to the season

MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United has been beset with problems on and off the field, and the Premier League season is only four games old.

After already losing twice, results and performances have been disappointing; particularly when manager Erik ten Hag was expected to mount more of a challenge to defending champion Manchester City in his second year in charge.

Off the field, it has been even more turbulent.

Amid a backlash from fans, United eventually decided to part ways with Mason Greenwood, six months after a criminal investigation of attempted rape was closed by prosecutors.

The club then had to contend with allegations of domestic abuse made against Brazil winger Antony, who has been given a leave of absence to address the claims.

Meanwhile, United said on Thursday that Jadon Sancho would train away from the first team over a disciplinary issue.

Sancho used social media to air his grievances by saying he had been made a “scapegoat” after being cut from United’s squad for its last game before the international break, a 3-1 loss to Arsenal.

All of that comes at the same time as uncertainty continues to surround the ownership of the club, 10 months after it was put on the market.

Regarding the on-field matters, Ten Hag is also dealing with a spate of injuries to key players including Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane.

In that sense, a two-week pause for international soccer might have been a welcome relief to the Dutch coach. The visit of Brighton to Old Trafford on Saturday, however, represents the potential of another setback for a United team that has looked vulnerable so far this season.

After all, Brighton beat United home and away last season and inflicted a first defeat on Ten Hag in