Ten Hag’s Challenges
In the press conference ahead of the 5th round of the Premier League, Manager Erik Ten Hag candidly admitted that he had to discipline Jadon Sancho. This means that the English winger will be absent for the match against Brighton. Misfortune seems to have found its way to Manchester United, as before this, striker Antony had to leave the team, and he can only return once the allegations against him, targeting his former girlfriend, a Brazilian player, are clarified.
From now until Sancho or Antony returns, Manager Ten Hag will have to patch up the lineup in most positions. With two wing-forward positions, it’s likely that the Dutch coach will have to push Rashford to the right, which is not his preferred position, and give the left side to Garnacho.
However, the midfield is where the real concern lies. The trio of Casemiro, Eriksen, and Bruno Fernandes hasn’t shown impressive chemistry from the start of the season. Against Brighton, they will still be the ones controlling the midfield for the Red Devils.
Additionally, newcomers Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat are both injured and unlikely to play. Perhaps, Manchester United fans are hoping that Manager Ten Hag will give a chance to Scott McTominay, who performed remarkably well during the recent international break.
Old Trafford as a Stronghold
While Manchester United is struggling with both form and personnel, Brighton has become a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League this season. Manager Roberto De Zerbi’s squad has won 3 out of 4 matches with a style of play that has been honed over several seasons. In all 4 of Brighton’s recent matches, at least 4 goals were scored, a testament to the Seagulls’ free-flowing football philosophy.
However, the away team also has unfortunate personnel shortages. According to English media, young forward Evans Ferguson is injured and unlikely to be fit for this match. It’s worth noting that the 18-year-old Irish striker has scored 4 goals in the Premier League this season, most recently netting a hat-trick against Newcastle. If Ferguson is absent, the attacking burden for Brighton will fall on Mitoma, a player who has been heavily involved in the recent Japanese national team camp.
It’s worth remembering that in the previous season’s round 1, Brighton defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford. However, since then, the Red Devils haven’t lost any more home matches in the Premier League. Looking at all competitions from the beginning of last season to the present, Coach Ten Hag’s team has played 36 matches at home and has only lost 2, one of which was to Brighton, as mentioned earlier, and the other was against Sociedad in the Europa League.
In summary, the fortress of Old Trafford and the tactical acumen of Manager Ten Hag are important foundations for Manchester United to secure 3 points against Brighton. It’s worth noting that next week, the Red Devils will face a high-profile clash with Bayern Munich in Germany. If they can overcome Brighton, a team with a similar attacking style to Bayern (albeit with differences in personnel), Manchester United will have more confidence.
Prediction: MU 2-1 Brighton
Expected Lineups
MU: Onana; Dalot, Martinez, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Eriksen; Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford; Højlund
Brighton: Steele; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Gross, Gilmour; March, Lallana, Mitoma; Pedro
Injury Updates
MU: Antony and Sancho are omitted from the lineup. Raphael Varane, Shaw, Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, and Tom Heaton are sidelined with injuries. New signings Amrabat and Mount are unlikely to feature. Lisandro Martinez may return from injury.
Brighton: Evan Ferguson is injured and uncertain to play. Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder are both absent due to injuries.
Additional Information
Opta’s supercomputer predicts that MU has a 46.4% chance of winning against Brighton.
Brighton has won 3 out of the last 4 matches against MU in the Premier League.
Brighton has a better winning percentage against MU than any other team in Premier League history (42%).
MU hasn’t lost in the last 32 matches at Old Trafford across all competitions.
