Man United kicked off their 2024/25 Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Fulham and up next, they hit the road to face Brighton & Hove Albion in an early Saturday afternoon kick-off.
Manchester United looked pretty solid and commanding in their season opener and even though it is too early to comment, the Red Devils are looking a lot more sorted this campaign. Their midfield and defence were all over the place last season but Ten Hag seems to have fixed a lot of these issues during the summer break.
The way they played last weekend will be a big positive for Manchester United because, in their previous five Premier League meetings against Brighton, United have been able to beat them just once. In these five games, Man United scored four goals but have ended up conceding 10 goals.
The Seagulls also opened their season with a comfortable 3-0 win over Everton so beating them, especially at home, will be no easy feat for Man United. However, if the away side can come out of the Amex Stadium with a well-deserved three points then the other teams will definitely start taking United seriously again.
Manchester United’s team news and injuries:
Leny Yoro remains out of action until November due to a broken metatarsal while Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw will be out for a few more weeks. Shaw’s injury should once again push Diogo Dalot to the left-hand side of defence with new arrival Mazraoui playing on the right.
Harry Maguire and Martinez’s partnership shone against Fulham and even though Man United have brought in Matthijs de Ligt, Ten Hag will want to hold onto his central defensive pairing. Last season, due to injuries, there were a lot of rotations in the backline and Ten Hag is desperate to avoid so many reshuffles this time.
Casemiro looked like his old self in the second half against Fulham and the Brazilian will pair up with young Kobbie Mainoo once again. Man United are trying to bring in a new central midfielder before deadline day but until then, Casemiro will hold onto his place in the team.
Talking about his injured players, the Man United has told the press: “There is no confusion [about Lindelof], he has an issue on his toe,
“So hopefully he can return quickly, but he is not available for the weekend. Where as also we have some more [issues], Tyrell Malacia, Rasmus Hojlund. They are not available as well. Luke Shaw, of course.”
Joshua Zirkzee scored on his debut for Man United which turned out to be the winner and due to Hojlund’s injury, the summer signing will be in line to get his first start for his new club. Bruno Fernandes had played up front in the Fulham game but Zirkzee’s introduction will allow the Portugal international to return to the No. 10 role.
Rashford had an average game last weekend and it will not be a surprise if Erik ten Hag hands Garnacho a start on the left wing. On the right-hand side, Amad will hold onto his place and seeing how he played in the matchweek one, it is safe to say that this is going to be Amad’s breakthrough season.
Man United predicted line up vs Brighton:
Predicted Starting XI(4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez; Casemiro, Mainoo; Fernandes, Garnacho/Rashford, Amad; Zirkzee.
