Manchester United vs Brighton Team Preview
When Manchester United hosts Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, Erik ten Hag will be attempting to have the best possible start to his tenure as manager of the Red Devils.
Man United came in at number six in the standings last season, trailing Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place by about 13 points, while Brighton came in at number nine, scoring an impressive 51 points.
The Red Devils only finished with 58 points last season, which put them 13 points outside the top four. This shows how much ground needs to be made up in the upcoming campaign, especially with Tottenham and Arsenal both adding some impressive new players to their squads.
The Dutchman will be expected to lead a top-four charge this season, with the team possibly challenging teams like Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal for the positions behind Manchester City and Liverpool. Ten Hag won’t be able to transform Man United into title contenders once more overnight.
Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, and Lisandro Martinez were the only players Man United managed to sign this summer. Meanwhile, the last four weeks have been dominated by rumors regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future, making Ten Hag’s reign uncomfortable.
The 20-time English champions played a total of six preseason games, winning three of them—against Liverpool, Melbourne Victory, and Crystal Palace—before drawing with Aston Villa, losing to Atletico Madrid, and drawing to Rayo Vallecano at old Trafford in the last match of the preseason.
After this match, the Red Devils have three more games against Brentford (A), Liverpool (H), and Southampton (A). It will be interesting to see where they stand in the standings before their match against Leicester City at the beginning of September.
With 51 points from 38 games, Brighton, meanwhile, managed to finish ninth in the Premier League last season, which was their best-ever season at this level of football.
Last season, the Seagulls trailed West Ham United by just five points in seventh place, but due to the competitive nature of the Premier League, the team lost two important players in the summer transfer window when Yves Bissouma moved to Tottenham Hotspur and Marc Cucurella to Chelsea.
Although there have been additions, including the loan transfers of Levi Colwill from Chelsea and Julio Enciso, it will be challenging for Graham Potter’s team to contend for a top-10 finish this season.
This summer, Brighton participated in five preseason friendlies, winning over Estoril, Reading, and Espanyol. They also drew with Union SG and lost to Brentford, a Premier League team, toward the end of July.
The Seagulls defeated Man United 4-0 toward the end of the previous campaign, but they lost 2-0 in the rematch at Old Trafford and have never won a league game there, which gives an idea of the magnitude of their challenge on Sunday.
Manchester United team News
Anthony Martial will not play because of a hamstring issue, according to Man United manager Ten Hag, which could allow Ronaldo to start in the middle of the field.
However, the Portuguese are likely to suffer from a lack of playing time this summer, which could result in Marcus Rashford moving to the center and Anthony Elanga being inserted into the lineup in the wide position.
Jadon Sancho’s ability to recover from an illness in a timely manner could be crucial, as the England international has not been seen participating in practice this week and was not mentioned by Ten Hag during his press conference.
Lisandro Martinez might make his defensive center debut, and Malacia might replace Luke Shaw at left back after the Englishman missed last weekend’s game due to illness.
Brandon Williams (unspecified) and Facundo Pellistri (ankle) are both expected to be out, and the club has still suspended Mason Greenwood.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, L Martinez, Malacia; Fred, McTominay; Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga; Rashford
Brighton Team News
With the exception of Jakub Moder, who has been out with a long-term knee injury, Brighton has a fully fit squad, according to Potter, who made this known during his pre-game press conference.
Cucurella’s departure may allow Solly March to play as the left wing-back, and Alexis MacAllister, who has recovered from a groin injury, is expected to start.
With Danny Welbeck possibly leading the line against his former team, Leandro Trossard, who scored three goals against Espanyol the last time out, will also be present in an attacking position.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Webster; Lamptey, Mwepu, Gross, March; MacAllister, Welbeck, Trossard.
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