Brighton host Manchester United on matchday two of the Premier League
Manchester United are on the travels for the first time in the Premier League this season as they face a visit to one of their bogey grounds of the top division, Brighton & Hove Albion’s American Express Stadium on Saturday, August 24 at 12:30 UK time.
The Red Devils have lost twice in their last three visits to the south coast but having won 1-0 against Fulham in their opening match of the league, they will be hoping to make it two wins out of as many outings to start the campaign.
For Brighton, it’s the first home game of the season and also the very first-time new coach Fabian Hurzeler will oversee proceedings at the Amex Stadium since being appointed.
Like United, they were also victors in their first match of the season though that win came a lot more comfortably than Man United’s against Fulham – a 3-0 success over Everton at Goodison Park.
Team News
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton may be without as many as seven first-team players in their first home game of the season due to an early bout of injuries in the season.
Bart Verbruggen, Julio Enciso, Solly March and Yankuba Minteh are doubtful due to minor problems but Evan Ferguson, Pervis Estupinan and Tariq Lamptey are sure to miss out due to more serious diagnoses.
Kauro Mitoma, one of the league’s revelations in the last few seasons will be present alongside former United striker Danny Welbeck. The duo scored in the clash at Everton last weekend.
Simon Adingra’s future has come under the scanner in the last week or so with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly circling over him and therefore, he may be left out of the squad if matters heat up by Saturday.
PREDICTED BRIGHTON XI (4-2-3-1): Steele; Dunk, van Hecke, Veltman, Hinshelwood; Wieffer, Milner; Mitoma, Pedro, Minteh; Welbeck
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag’s compounding injury woes have provided him with no respite in the lead-up to the Brighton match with Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Rasmus Hojlund and Tyrell Malacia still on the sidelines.
Jadon Sancho is doubtful with no clarity as to whether he has recovered from his ear infection yet while Victor Lindelof’s presence is also not a guarantee with the Swede in the final days of his recuperation from a muscle injury.
In what has been a busy transfer window, no new player has arrived at Manchester United in the last week or so while the departures have also been of men who were not likely to be a part of their plans.
Joshua Zirkzee, last time’s matchwinner could be handed his first start since joining from Bologna after he came off the bench against Fulham and in the FA Community Shield in the last couple of instances.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER UNITED XI (4-2-3-1): Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, De Ligt, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Rashford, Fernandes, Diallo; Zirkzee
Key facts
- Brighton & Hove Albion have won each of their last five matches (including friendlies) by scoring 17 goals in the process. United, on the other hand, have just two wins in their previous five outings, both of which were by one-goal margins.
- There has not been a drawn match in the last ten instances of Manchester United taking on Brighton in the Premier League. Saturday’s hosts have four wins and the Red Devils have won the other six clashes.
- Brighton’s head coach Fabian Hurzeler is the youngest manager to ever take charge of a Premier League team following his appointment as Roberto De Zerbi’s replacement.
Match deciding duel
Zirkzee vs van Hecke
Both teams will play an attacking brand of football and Manchester United will need Joshua Zirkzee to be on top of his game inside the box to finish off all chances. Meanwhile, his compatriot Jan Paul van Hecke will be tasked with keeping the new striker dormant and as a result, an exciting battle between the Dutchmen could ensue on Saturday.
Prediction
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Manchester United
Brighton scored thrice in their last match and are a well-oiled unit with a lot of familiar faces from last season in the starting eleven. With their home support, they should be able to breach a fairly new-look Manchester United defence which was a bit fortunate to have not shipped a goal or two against Fulham.
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The Red Devils’ attack, however, might prove as much of a handful for the Brighton defence and as a result, they also should find themselves on target but not all that easily. Hence, after over 10 matches, a draw may be in the pipeline between Man United and Brighton.
