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Brighton vs Manchester United Preview: First away day for Te

Brighton vs Manchester United Preview: First away day for Ten Hag's men

Man Utd started their Premier League campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham, with Brighton up next on Saturday

 
10:02am on Thursday 22nd August 2024
By
Martin Macdonald

Manchester United will look to make it two wins out of two in the Premier League this season when they face an effervescent Brighton side on Saturday.

Last Friday, United played in the league opener against Fulham and had to rely on a late goal from new signing Joshua Zirkzee to claim all three points.

Brighton, meanwhile, were impressive in a 3-0 defeat of Everton at Goodison Park.

Match Preview

Brighton recent form

On paper, an away day against Sean Dyche's defensively solid Everton side looked like a tough opening game for Brighton, but the Seagulls were superb and ended up winning 3-0 thanks to goals from Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck and Simon Adingra.

They looked particularly devastating on the counterattack which is something United will need to be extremely wary of here.

Brighton injury news

Bart Verbruggen, Solomon March and Julio Enciso are all definitely out for Brighton, but the club are hopeful that Evan Ferguson, Pervis Estupinan and Tariq Lamptey may return soon. Their fitness will be assessed closer to kickoff on Saturday.

Yankuba Minteh was forced off with injury against Everton after setting up the first goal, but his issue isn't believed to be anything serious so he could feature.

Last Brighton starting XI

Man Utd recent form

Man Utd have played two competitive games so far this season - losing to Man City in the Community Shield and then beating Fulham last week.

The result on Friday may have been a good one, but the performance still had echoes of last season.

In pre-season, they lost against Rosenborg, Arsenal and Liverpool and defeated Rangers and Real Betis.

Man Utd injury news

United still have a number of key players missing in Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof.

Jadon Sancho may be available again but it is unlikely he'll be utilised by Erik ten Hag as he looks likely to be sold before the end of the transfer window.

Last Man Utd starting XI

Brighton vs Man Utd - who is the referee and VAR?

Referee: Craig Pawson

Assistants: Marc Perry, Nick Hopton

Fourth official: Bobby Madley

VAR: Chris Kavanagh

Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.

Brighton - Player to Watch?

Mitoma was superb against Everton last week and continually stretched the game with penetrating dribbles on the counter. He also opened the scoring with a predatory finish at the back post.

Man Utd - Player to Watch?

If Ten Hag plays without a striker again the attacking pressure will be thrust upon Bruno Fernandes. He didn't look happy against Fulham and missed two sitters in the game, so he'll be looking to make up for that.

Brighton vs Man Utd - Prediction

Having watched Brighton tear apart Everton on the counter, and Man Utd regularly allowing Fulham to earn at least a one-man advantage on counters of their own, it is likely the Red Devils will concede here. But, they should have enough quality to get a couple of their own, too.

Brighton 2-2 Man Utd

Mitoma is a good shout to find the back of the net again as he'll undoubtedly be given acres of space.

For all of the analysis of the match as it happens live, check out our Preview and Live Update page for the game.

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