Manchester United predicted line-up vs. Brighton: three key changes as £75m of new signings set for debuts
The latest Manchester United team news, injury updates and predicted XI ahead of the Premier League match at Brighton.
Manchester United will look to open the new Premier League season with back-to-back victories when they travel down to East Sussex to play Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday’s early kick-off – and two of the Red Devils’ big-money summer signings may be handed full debuts at the Amex Stadium.
The hosts got their season off to the perfect start with a 3-0 win away to Everton last weekend, meaning that young manager Fabian Hürzeler’s side top the table after the first week of action. That could mean that Saturday’s result gives us a good indication of where United are following their worst ever finish to a Premier League season.
Erik ten Hag has one new injury concern to contend with following the 1-0 win over Fulham on the opening day of the season, and we have updates on the condition of the four players who missed that match through injury below, along with all the rest of the latest team news and our predicted line-up. If you’re looking for some information ahead of the Fantasy Premier League deadline, you can also find our resident expert’s latest advice column by clicking here.
Goalkeeper & Defence
Swedish centre-half Victor Lindelöf is the latest player to be added to the injury list, with the club confirming that the 30-year-old has suffered a toe injury which will keep him out of Saturday’s squad. Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot) and Tyrell Malacia (knee) all remain unavailable through injury as well.
That means that Diogo Dalot and Nouassir Mazraoui are likely to continue at full-back while there is a good chance that £38.5m summer signing Matthijs de Ligt is handed his full debut after coming on as a substitute against Fulham – but Harry Maguire’s impressive performance last week means he has a chance of winning the race for the starting spot. Brighton, meanwhile, will still be without first-choice goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen but are boosted by the return of Pervis Estupiñán and Tariq Lamptey to training.
Midfield
The visitors will should have a clean bill of health once again in midfield after coming through the win at Old Trafford unscathed – but it’s possible that Bruno Fernandes drops back into the number ten role after struggling with his finishing against Fulham.
Otherwise, Casemiro is likely to partner Kobbie Mainoo at the base of the midfield once again after the pair put in a solid performance last week. Brighton, meanwhile, will have the impressive Yankuba Minteh available for selection after he was passed fit following a concussion scare at Goodison Park last week. Solly March remains out following a cruciate ligament injury sustained last season.
Forwards
After scoring with a fine finish as a substitute on debut against Fulham, £36.5m man Joshua Zirkzee may well have earned the chance to start up front in the continued absence of Rasmus Højlund, who is expected to miss approximately three more weeks of training with a hamstring problem. If Zirkzee does start, it would likely mean that Mason Mount drops to the bench in favour of Fernandes.
Marcus Rashford is likely to continue playing on the left, while Alejandro Garnacho, who bagged the assist for Zirkzee’s goal but also missed a golden chance late on, could win his starting place back from Amad Diallo. Brighton also welcome alleged United target Evan Ferguson back after an injury lay-off, although he is unlikely to start ahead of former United player Danny Welbeck.
Full predicted line-up vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
Onana; Dalot, De Ligt, Martínez, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes; Rashford, Garnacho, Zirkzee.