Manchester United begin the process of improving upon a calamitous 2021/22 campaign with a home match against Brighton on Sunday afternoon.
The Seagulls played a starring role in Manchester United’s limp conclusion to the club’s lowest-ever Premier League points haul, romping to a 4-0 victory on the south coast in May.
With Erik ten Hag installed at the wheel, Manchester United should be a far less agreeable opponent compared to the mess Brighton rolled over three months ago.
Here’s everything you need to know about the reunion of this pairing.
Channel: Sky Sports Main Event
Channel: Sky Sports Premier League
Channel: Sky Ultra HD
Streaming Service: NOW TV
Streaming Service: Sky Go
Broadcast Time: 13:00 (BST)
Streaming Service: Peacock Premium
Broadcast Time EST: 09:00
Broadcast Time PST: 06:00
Streaming Service: fuboTV
Broadcast Time (EST): 09:00
Where can you watch Manchester United vs Brighton Highlights?
Channel: Sky Sports Football
Channel: BBC Match of the Day 2
Stream: Sky Football YouTube channel
H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Manchester United: 4 Wins
Brighton: 1 Win
Draws: 0 Draws
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Manchester United: WWDLD
Brighton: WDWLW
Manchester United team news
Anthony Martial’s attempts to rediscover his best form for Manchester United have been hampered by a hamstring injury sustained on the eve of the season.
After a tumultuous summer spent stressing his desire to leave, Cristiano Ronaldo begrudgingly returned to the squad only to play 45 minutes of pre-season before storming out of Old Trafford. Ten Hag hasn’t tip-toed around the issue of Ronaldo, publicly reprimanding his behaviour and insisting he has to prove himself before waltzing into the team.
Luke Shaw has returned to training following a fever. Jadon Sancho also suffered an illness at the end of July but is expected to feature this weekend.
Manchester United Starting 11: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia; Fred, McTominay; Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga; Rashford
Bench: Heaton, Lindelof, Eriksen, Garner, Pellistri, Van de Beek, Ronaldo
Brighton team news
Jakub Moder’s return from a knee injury is at such an early stage in his recovery Graham Potter is unwilling to put a timescale on his return.
Alexis Mac Allister, conversely, is expected to be available this weekend despite flagging an issue with his groin during the club’s final friendly of the summer.
Brighton‘s luck with fitness concerns during the off-season has been so good Potter felt compelled to call upon the fates ahead of the impending campaign: “Pre-season has gone well with injuries, so touch wood, we’ll be OK.”
Brighton Starting 11: Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Webster; March, Gross, Caicedo, Mwepu, Trossard; Mac Allister, Welbeck
Bench: Steele, Duffy, Lamptey, Lallana, Enciso, Mitoma, Undav
Manchester United may have a new furrowed brow in the dugout but the mishaps remain. Ronaldo’s lack of season readiness – underlined by Ten Hag insisting: “He has to get fit” – has been amplified by Martial’s injury.
The Dutchman will have to tweak his preseason preparations, shifting Marcus Rashford uncomfortably through the middle, but the Red Devils should have enough to squeeze past a Brighton side not to be underestimated.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-0 Brighton
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