Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag faced boos at Old Trafford for his decision to substitute striker Ramus Hojlund in the second half of their dismal 3-1 home defeat to Brighton.

The Red Devils’ difficult start to the season continued with Ten Hag’s side having been ruthlessly exposed at home by Brighton.

Danny Welbeck gave the Seagulls a first half lead, with Pascal Gross putting the visitors 2-0 up after the break.

The home fans expressed their frustration at proceedings when Ten Hag opted to substitute Hojlund, with the £75m summer signing’s home debut ending in the 64th minute.

Hojlund was withdrawn for Martial, with the decision greeted by a series of boos from the home supporters.

Erik ten Hag’s decision to substitute Rasmus Hojlund in the second half was greeted by boos

The £75m summer signing was replaced by Ten Hag in the second half with Anthony Martial

Ten Hag has faced a challenging start to the season with Man United losing three matches

Hojlund has yet to complete 90 minutes since his penultimate match for Atalanta back in May.

The Danish striker’s start to life at Man United has been impacted by a back problem, having sustained a stress fracture during pre-season at his former club.

His injury had led to his involvement being limited to a sole substitute appearance against Arsenal prior to his home debut against Brighton.

Man United’s misery was increased when Joao Pedro put the visitors 3-0 up, which had prompted some supporters to head to the Old Trafford exits.

Hannibal Mejbri, who Ten Hag brought off the bench in the second half, scored what proved a consolation effort for the Red Devils in the 73rd minute.

A smattering of boos greeted the full-time whistle as Man United fell to a 3-1 defeat.

The result saw Man United slide to a third defeat in their opening five matches of the season.

The Red Devils had come into the match without Jadon Sancho, with the winger having been exiled from the squad amid his ongoing feud with Ten Hag.

Brighton’s third goal of the match had led to several Man United fans to head towards the exits

Sancho has been training on his own with United football director John Murtough and CEO Richard Arnold having weighed in to broker peace talks between the manager and the forward.

Antony is on paid leave while he fights allegations of assault against three women that he strongly denies, weeks after Mason Greenwood was forced to leave the club over domestic abuse allegations that were later dropped.

Ten Hag had insisted prior to the match that he had been hired to fix the ‘no-good culture’ at the club which existed before last season’.

Fans have also expressed frustration as the club’s takeover saga rumbles on, while the Glazer family expected to take the club off the market.