(Football news) Manchester United on the weekend got a narrow 1-0 win over Aston Villa. Now they take on Brighton away from home to try and better their chances of Champions League qualification next season. Manchester United have definitely improved under Erik Ten Hag this season but there is still a long way to go.

Brighton are one of the best attacking teams in Europe and United’s defence is under-staffed. The home side will be high on confidence after the 6-0 win over Wolves on the weekend. Brighton are 8th in the Premier but they have played a lot fewer games than the teams above them and a European spot is a realistic possibility for the Seagulls. 

Manchester United are still missing Donny van de Beek, Alejandro Garnacho, Tom Heaton, Phil Jones, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. Ten Hag is really short of centre backs so Luke Shaw is likely to partner Victor Lindelof in the heart of the defence. After continuous errors, Harry Maguire isn’t starting games and he is most likely to be the first on the list of players to be sold in the summer.

Brighton on the other hand Jakub Moder, Tariq Lamptey, Jeremy Sarmiento and Adam Lallan. Joel Veltman is a doubt having limped off against Wolves. Roberto De Zerbi benched Kaoru Mitoma, Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill on the weekend but all of them are expected to return to the starting line-up.

Manchester United may play Marcus Rashford up front so that he can use his pace on the counter attack. Ten Hag may have to choose one of Christian Eriksen and Marcel Sabitzer to play in midfield unless he plays both and puts Bruno Fernandes on the right wing. Manchester United are in pole position to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. A win in this game will take the Red Devils above Newcastle United in 3rd place. 

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