Ten Hag brands Hojlund booing a 'positive' for United

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag claims that the chorus of boos from the crowd when Rasmus Hojlund was substituted against Brighton is a positive for the club.

The Red Devils suffered defeat to the Seagulls at Old Trafford for the second season in a row, putting more pressure on the Dutchman and his players.

Hojlund's performance was one of the few positives that fans could take away from the game and Ten Hag's decision to withdraw him after 64 minutes left a sense of frustration in the air.

On the boos, he said: "I think it was positive. You see that the fans from the first moment in Old Trafford, the reception for him was great. 

"I think he performed very well, so I think it's good that they gave this signal, this message. It will give him belief, Rasmus.

"But everyone knows he came in with a small issue. We built him over the last three, four weeks. 

"He's not ready for a whole game and we have many games to play in short notice, so we have to build him also in fitness."

United found themselves 3-0 down after 71 minutes and a Facundo Pellestri goal late on was not enough to salvage anything from the match.

The loss means United have already tasted defeat three times this season and Ten Hag admitted he is growing frustrated.

He added: "Definitely that is something that bothers me.

"Now we have to see how strong we are, how the team sticks together and which players are standing up and showing the character and leading the team. 

"Because in all the games, all the games but especially the games today, against Arsenal and [Nottingham] Forest, we have seen we can play very good and we can create a lot of chances. 

"But, yes, there are also some improvements to make. That is definitely the case and now we have to step up."