Panicked Manchester United supporters have locked horns over the club’s dismal form this season, with the defeat by Brighton compounding their frustration.

Erik ten Hag’s side collapsed to back-to-back losses after being downed in limp fashion at Old Trafford, with Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro on target.

Hannibal Mejbri’s second-half strike proved a mere consolation, leaving United languishing 13th in the Premier League after their first five top-flight matches.

However, there appears to be a clear divide, with some fans calling for patience and others insisting there can be no excuses for their struggles. 

Manchester United slumped to back-to-back defeats after being downed by Brighton

United were a resounding second best at Old Trafford, continuing their sluggish start this year

Danny Welbeck, formerly on the books with the Red Devils, made the early breakthrough

‘Manchester United fans have no patience, no clue how to deal with low moments or bad results,’ one X user (formerly Twitter) said. ‘We are in the mud.

‘I pray to God our club trust ten Hag and don’t reactionary sack him, like most of our fans would.

‘(Mikel) Arteta was a project manager too, took time and look at Arsenal now.’

Another, though, wrote: ‘3-1 in back to back games. This isn’t Manchester United.’

A third account pointed to Brighton’s savvy off-field set-up and believes United would do well to use it as a blueprint in their bid for future success. 

‘When you have a clear club philosophy and plan combined with excellent scouting and recruitment, there’s only one way to go. Upwards,’ they said.

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‘Brighton are a model club, absolutely excellent team and manager but its the owners/boardroom that can facilitate that. Man United, take note.’

Fans on X (formerly Twitter) were conflicted as to urge patience or call for Ten Hag’s dismissal

‘The problem with Man United is their large section of fanbase and few ex-footballers who blame the Glazers for everything,’ a fourth user added. ‘WIN, credit to Ten Hag.

‘Lose, blame the Glazers.’ 

A fifth posted a photo of Cristiano Ronaldo and David de Gea and said: ‘Ten Hag, you owe us an explanation. How do we still have problems without the problems?’ 

United’s poor defensive record was also scrutinised, with a further user saying: ‘Only Burnley and Wolves have conceded more goals than Man Utd this season in the PL.’ 

Speaking post-match, responding to a suggestion that United are in crisis, Ten Hag said: ‘No, but we have to be disappointed and we have to be very annoyed with ourselves because at United the demand is you win games.’

Asked if he is worried by the poor start, he added: ‘Definitely, that is something that bothers me. But finally it’s about character and now we have to see how strong we are and how the team sticks together and which players stand up and lead the team. 

‘We need character, belief, resilience and determination absolutely.’

Supporters were unhappy at the side’s back-to-back 3-1 defeats to Arsenal and Brighton

Despite his side slipping to a third defeat in five, Erik ten Hag insisted they are not in crisis