Gary Neville questions quality of Manchester United players

The Red Devils experienced a difficult outing against the Seagulls, falling to a 3-1 defeat following goals from Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro.

A first Man United goal for academy product Hannibal Mejbri offered a brief moment of positivity, but the 73rd-minute strike could not prevent Man United from losing for the third time this season.

As a result, Ten Hag's side are currently sitting in 13th position with six points to their name from five Premier League matches.

The Red Devils spent over £180m during the summer transfer window, recruiting Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat and Rasmus Hojlund.

Jonny Evans also returned to the club on a free transfer, while Sergio Reguilon arrived on loan from fellow Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite making a number of additions to the squad, Neville has questioned whether the new signings have improved the side from last season.

"I was worried at the start of the season," Neville told Sky Sports. "There was this feeling Manchester United had got their business done early in the transfer window and that was good, but I was concerned the players they had brought in wouldn't improve them from last season.

"I never thought for one second they would challenge Manchester City and Arsenal from the players that they brought in. That would have needed a Harry Kane-type signing or Declan Rice, as an example. They didn't have the money to do those types of signings.

"They're not very good at the moment. There's no hysteria. I went to the Brighton game as a fan thinking, 'Could I be surprised?'.

"You're always optimistic. I have never walked over that forecourt at Old Trafford and not been optimistic because that's the job of a football fan going to any ground where you support your team.

"But 72,000 Manchester United fans in that stadium, who are informed and know Brighton and know their current team, I don't think any of them were surprised at what they saw.

"Before the game there was that feeling of, 'Let's see what happens', 'Take a point', those sort of comments speaking to people as you go in."

After losing three of their last four matches, Man United will have to pick themselves up for Wednesday's tricky Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in Germany.

The Red Devils will then return to Premier League action next weekend with an away fixture against newly-promoted Burnley.