Manchester United versus Brighton – English top flight Updates
Preamble
The Red Devils, having just beaten Sunderland and Liverpool, aim for a trio of victories on the bounce in this match. Confidence is high with Ruben Amorim in charge now more than ever!
Yet, the opposing team are Brighton & Hove Albion, having triumphed on each of their last three trips to Old Trafford, plus six out of seven encounters in this rivalry.
Forget the momentum; it’s been straightforward very comfortable. Having said all that, the visitors are also famously erratic like United, making this match both fascinating and potentially thrilling to watch.
Start time is 17:30 BST and we say this for the last time in a while as the clocks go back this evening, folks. Game on!
The Teams
Manchester United: Lammens, Yoro, de Ligt, Shaw at the back, Diallo, Casemiro, Fernandes leading, Dalot, Mbeumo attacking, Cunha, Sesko completes the XI.
Subs: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Mount, Zirkzee, Malacia, Dorgu, Ugarte, Heaven, Mainoo.
Brighton: Verbruggen between the posts, Wieffer, van Hecke starting, Dunk captain, Kadioglu featured, Baleba, Ayari playing, Minteh, Rutter, De Cuyper, Welbeck.
Substitutes: Steele, Tzimas, Watson, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, Gomez, Coppola, Oriola.
Match referee: Taylor (from Cheshire).
VAR: Oliver (Northumberland).
Team News
United decided on two adjustments in the wake of last week’s victory against Liverpool. Šeško is selected for Mason Mount, now on the substitutes, while last week’s win-securing hero Maguire misses out completely, Leny Yoro taking his place in defence.
Maguire picked up an injury this week in practice. Malacia returns among the substitutes in 2025-26.
Brighton & Hove Albion make a single switch post-success against versus Newcastle. Seemingly a tactical shift, including Maxim De Cuyper instead of Gómez, on the bench.
Welbeck, a member of the last Manchester United squad to win the Premier League during the 2012-13 season, visits his old club with great momentum with four recent goals, one more than he’d managed over his last 15 matches.
Build-Up
Amorim is unfazed about the views of the Reds’ manager … yet Welbeck is mindful with the thought processes from the German coach.
Analysts have noted the fixture might affect their campaigns during the league continues.
Key players to watch are Fernandes in red and the Brighton forward for the visitors, both in fine form lately.
