Manchester United travel to Brighton for Saturday’s early Premier League kick off hoping to build on an encouraging victory over Fulham in their opening match of the season. Though the Red Devils only triumphed 1-0, they looked a composed and dominant side especially in possession of the ball.
The Reds and Brighton have met 33 times prior to this weekend, with United winning 20 of those matches.
Last time out at the Amex Stadium, Diogo Dalot and Hojlund were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory for Ten Hag’s men, in our final league game of last term.
Former United forward Danny Welbeck is a familiar face in the Brighton ranks, with the 33-year-old scoring in the opening-day win over Everton.
For their part, Brighton have had an exceptional start to the new season. They travelled to Merseyside and faced Everton at Goodison Park. The Toffees, suffering from a few injuries, never turned up and goals from Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck and Simon Adingra ensured the Seagulls got off to the best possible start and ended the first gameweek top of the table.
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It may not be the moment to mention that Antony scored on his Manchester United debut. Donny van de Beek, too. It is not always the harbinger of greatness, or even respectability. It is not a surefire sign that money has been well spent by United.
Joshua Zirkzee’s first goal was a late winner, the sort that could have been scripted. “It’s the perfect one, no? In front of the Stretford End. And a win as well,” said the Dutchman. Yet it was less spectacular than Antony’s 2022 strike against Arsenal. Or, for that matter, Anthony Martial’s Thierry Henry impression against Liverpool in 2015.
Brighton are still juggling a lengthy injury list, but will have Yankuba Minteh – who was forced off in the win over Everton – fit for the game.
Evan Ferguson, Pervis Estupinan and Tariq Lamptey are all back in training but a decision will be made on their availability closer to the game. Bart Verbruggen, Solomon March and Julio Enciso have been ruled out.
Man Utd appear to have improved little from last season, though it remains early days in the new campaign. Brighton, meanwhile, look to have bought into their manager’s approach well over the summer, though were helped by Ashley Young’s red card to run out 3-0 winners at Everton.
Tariq Lamptey, Pervis Estupinan and Evan Ferguson returned to training following injuries but were not fit enough to start in the win at Goodison Park. They will not likely be rushed back.
Julio Enciso had a busy summer playing for Paraguay in the Copa America and the Olympics and still may not quite be ready.
Brighton predicted (4-2-3-1, right to left): Steele (GK) — Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk Hinshelwood — Milner, Wieffer — Adingra, Mitoma, Pedro — Welbeck.
Injured: Bart Verbruggen, Solly March, Yankuba Minteh (doubt)
Suspended: None
Ten Hag said his team weren’t quite ready for the new season, especially the new signings, as Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt both had to start on the bench. However, both could feature in the first XI here, particularly with striker Rasmus Hojlund still ruled out.
The Dutch boss was forced to start Noussair Mazraoui after a defensive injury crisis that includes Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof.