Manchester United already facing Champions League problem amid Arsenal and Liverpool form

Manchester United dropped more points against Brighton on Saturday and while the season is still in it's infancy, the gap to their major top-four rivals is increasing.

Erik ten Hag's side were well beaten at Old Trafford, with goals from Danny Welbeck, Pascal Groß and Joao Pedro handing the Seagulls all three points. Hannibal Mejbri did pull one back, but it was merely a consolation.

A third defeat in four Premier League matches will concern Ten Hag, as will the performances. But supporters are already looking at the gap between themselves and other top-four contenders.

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United secured Champions League football thanks to a third-place finish last season, taking advantage of unusually poor campaigns for the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham. But the problem they are now facing is that most of those have kicked on while they have stagnated.

Tottenham in particular are thriving under new manager Ange Postecoglou, their 2-0 win at home to United setting them up for a run of four straight victories. Against Sheffield United on Saturday, they scored twice in added-time to go from 1-0 down to 2-1 up - a sign of the fight in their squad.

Similarly, Liverpool are getting a strong head start with four wins and a draw in their opening five matches. Jurgen Klopp's side still look shaky at the back but have been electric going forward, already picking up points against the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Arsenal also took three points off United before the international break, breathing a sigh of relief to see Alejandro Garnacho's effort disallowed