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Match Preview for Manchester United v Brighton
Manchester United will look to extend their winning run to three Premier League matches when they host Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
This fixture marks the first meeting between the two sides since January, when Brighton stunned the Red Devils with a 3-1 win.
United have endured a turbulent campaign under Ruben Amorim, but back-to-back league victories have brought renewed optimism around Old Trafford. Their recent 2-0 home win over Sunderland was followed by an impressive 2-1 triumph away at Liverpool – their first success at Anfield since 2016.
The win over the reigning champions marked a significant moment for Amorim, who has been given a three-year window to reshape the club by part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United’s upturn in form has lifted them to ninth in the table, just three points off rivals Manchester City in second place.
Returning to Old Trafford will please the hosts, who have won their last three home league fixtures against Sunderland, Chelsea and Burnley – matching their total number of victories from the previous 13 games at the Theatre of Dreams.
The last time United achieved four consecutive home wins in the league came in mid-2023, before that streak was ended by none other than Brighton.
That defeat was part of a difficult recent record for United in this fixture, as they have lost six of their last seven Premier League meetings with the Seagulls.
Team news for Manchester United v Brighton
Lisandro Martínez remains sidelined for United as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury, though he is edging closer to a return to full training.
Leny Yoro could be brought back into the starting XI at centre-back, potentially replacing one of Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt or Luke Shaw. Ruben Amorim must also decide whether to persist with Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot in wing-back roles or recall Patrick Dorgu on the left flank.
Up front, Benjamin Sesko – who scored in two straight league matches before being benched against Liverpool – could be restored to the lineup, partnering Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Mbeumo, notably, has been directly involved in six goals against Brighton (three goals, three assists), his joint-second favourite opponent behind Southampton.
Brighton remain without Solly March and Adam Webster due to knee injuries, while Jack Hinshelwood (ankle) is also unavailable. Kaoru Mitoma, Joel Veltman, Diego Gomez and Brajan Gruda will all undergo late fitness tests.
Ferdi Kadıoglu and Maxim De Cuyper are vying for a starting spot at left-back, though De Cuyper could feature further forward if Mitoma and Gómez are both ruled out.
In midfield, Carlos Baleba, a reported transfer target for United, may start, while in-form striker Welbeck could again lead the line, supported by Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh.
Expected line-ups for Manchester United v Brighton
Manchester United: Lammens; De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko
Brighton: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadıoğlu; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, De Cuyper; Welbeck
How to watch Manchester United v Brighton: TV channel, online stream
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, with coverage beginning an hour before kick-off.
Fans can also stream the game via the Sky Go app or NOW TV for those with a subscription.
The stats for Manchester United v Brighton
- Brighton have won six of the last seven Premier League meetings with Manchester United, including three in a row at Old Trafford
- United have scored 13 goals and conceded 12 in their opening eight league games; Brighton have scored 16 and conceded 15
- Both teams have scored in 7 of Brighton’s 8 league matches and 5 of United’s 8 so far this season
- Brighton have kept just one clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League games
- United have won three straight home league matches, scoring 7 and conceding 2 in that run
- Danny Welbeck has scored 4 goals in his last 3 league appearances for Brighton
Prediction
Old Trafford should witness another open and entertaining affair. Both sides have been scoring and conceding freely this season, and Brighton’s attacking flair could trouble United’s back line once again.
However, the hosts are brimming with confidence after their win at Anfield and appear to be finding rhythm under Amorim.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Brighton
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
