Manchester United welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Old Trafford in a huge Premier League clash.
Victory could see Man Utd go as high as seventh if Crystal Palace and Aston Villa draw elsewhere, whilst a win could see Brighton go top depending upon results elsewhere.
Team News
Antony is ruled out for Man Utd for personal reasons following discussions between the Brazilian and club.
Lisandro Martinez (foot), Sofyan Amrabat (back) and Mason Mount (thigh) face late fitness tests.
Jadon Sancho meanwhile won’t be involved after he was banished from first-team training, due to disciplinary issues following a falling out with manager – Erik ten Hag.
Tom Heaton (calf), Raphael Varane (unspecified), Luke Shaw (muscle), Kobble Mainoo (ankle), Tyrell Malacia and Amad Diallo (both knee) remain sidelined.
Brighton could be without Evan Ferguson after he withdrew from international duty for Republic of Ireland with a knee injury, which he had suffered during the Seagulls’ win over Newcastle.
Danny Welbeck (muscle) is a doubt but Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder both remain absent with knee injuries.
When is Kick-Off?
Man Utd host Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday 16 September in a 3pm BST kick-off, untelevised live in UK.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd have won two of their last five league meetings against Brighton (W2, L3).
- Brighton have won just one of six previous Premier League visits to Man Utd (W1, L5).
- Ex Brighton player, Alexis Mac Allister scored for both teams last season as he netted an own-goal at Old Trafford then struck an injury-time penalty winner for the Seagulls at home.
- All five of Man Utd’s league goals in their opening four matches this season were scored by different goalscorers.
- Brighton are yet to keep a clean sheet this season (W3, L1).
Prediction
Having endured a scrappy start to the season with defence proving a bigger worry than at any other point under Ten Hag’s reign, Man Utd should be fairly worried coming into this game after a creatively lacklustre loss at Arsenal with two conceded injury-time goals to boot.
Brighton on the other hand absolutely outclassed Newcastle with a dominant yet ruthlessly clinical attacking performance, which underlines how serious they’ve been about starting their league campaign well ahead of Europa League commitments kicking in.
Now if Brighton can turn up and play with the same intensity and quality which blew Newcastle apart, whilst placing Utd’s vulnerable defence under pressure then I do fancy them to snatch the win and create further misery for Ten Hag’s Red Devils.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Brighton
Result: Manchester United 1-3 Brighton
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