(Football news) The goal of Manchester United’s visit to Old Trafford on Saturday is to climb into the top half of the Premier League standings. Brighton & Hove Albion will be the visitors.
While Man United’s performance on the pitch has left something to be desired, off-field problems involving Antony, Jadon Sancho, and the club’s drawn-out ownership saga have since followed during the international break, not helping Erik ten Hag’s cause, and Red Devils fans are simply yearning for a day without drama at Old Trafford.
From their first four Premier League matches this season, they have recorded two wins at home and two losses away, with their most recent loss coming at the hands of rivals Arsenal, who defeated United 3-1 in dramatic circumstances two weeks ago.
When Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus scored in the 96th and 101st minutes to win all three points at the Emirates Stadium, the Red Devils appeared to be holding on for a point. Ten Hag will have a lot to think about before a hectic calendar of games.
Man United must transfer their attention to Saturday’s difficult Premier League match with Brighton, who achieved a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of last season, before taking on German powerhouses Bayern Munich in their opening Champions League group-stage match next Wednesday. Brighton defeated Man United 2-1 at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of last season.
The Red Devils haven’t dropped three of their first five league games since Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1989–90 season, but Ten Hag is confident that his team can grind out a victory this weekend at home because they haven’t dropped any of their previous 32 games at Old Trafford in all competitions.
While Man United are struggling, Brighton are on the rise and have had a successful start to the new campaign, winning three of their first four Premier League games and scoring 12 goals in the process—more than any other side in the top flight thus far.
The Seagulls made a statement with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at home before the international break after recovering from a temporary slump against West Ham United. Teenage wonder Evan Feguson scored his first Premier League hat-trick in that game.
While Brighton supporters will undoubtedly have one eye on their first-ever Europa League game against AEK Athens on Thursday, Roberto De Zerbi and company will be entirely focused on their forthcoming matchup with Man United as they attempt to win their fourth straight league game against the Red Devils.
In their last eight away Premier League games, the Seagulls have won four and lost four, with two of their victories coming against Chelsea and Arsenal. They come to Old Trafford with that record.
Brighton’s challenging stretch of games may have started against Newcastle, whom they easily defeated last time out, but they will undoubtedly be put to the test in the coming weeks as league games against Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Manchester City will be played after their match with Man United, with an EFL Cup match at Chelsea and a trip to Marseille in the Europa League in between.
Manchester United Premier League Form
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Brighton Premier League Form
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Amad Diallo (knee), Luke Shaw (muscle), Tyrell Malacia (muscle), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), Tom Heaton (calf), and Antony of Manchester United will all be sidelined ‘until further notice’ due to injuries, along with Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, and Tom Heaton. Allegations of assault have been made against Antony.
Sofyan Amrabat, a recent addition, is questionable due to a back issue, but Manchester United reportedly hopes to have the Moroccan available for the match against Brighton. Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount may also be able to rejoin the matchday squad if they successfully recover from their respective foot and hamstring injuries.
Bruno Fernandes, Facundo Pellistri, and Alejandro Garnacho are all candidates who could start on the right flank due to Antony’s absence and Sancho’s anticipated absence due to his training ban for his social media outburst towards Ten Hag. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, who scored against Arsenal last time out, is expected to continue on his preferred left wing with either Rasmus Hojlund or Anthony Martial leading the line.
A knee injury forced Ferguson to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland team. The 18-year-old striker will be evaluated before kickoff, along with former Manchester United player Danny Welbeck, who missed the victory over Newcastle with a “minor issue.” Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder are still sidelined with knee injuries, though.
Ansu Fati, on loan from Barcelona, is most likely to play in the No. 10 position between star wingers Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March, and Carlos Baleba, who watched the victory over Newcastle from the stands, are both in contention to make their Seagulls debuts at Old Trafford. The latter is set to compete with Billy Gilmour and Mahmoud Dahoud for a start in centre-midfield alongside recently-capped Germany international Pascal Gross.
In order to start at right back, Joel Veltman will have to hold off James Milner, and Jan Paul van Hecke will likely start in the centre of defence. De Zerbi will also have to decide whether to keep Bart Verbruggen in goal or bring up Jason Steele.
Also read: Aston Villa set to play Crystal Palace in the Premier League
