Brighton vs Manchester United Preview
By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01
Manchester United kicked off their 2024/25 Premier League season with a solid 1-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford in Matchweek 1. Now, the Red Devils are set to face Brighton & Hove Albion at the American Express Community Stadium on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at lunch time.
Currently, Manchester United sits in seventh place after securing three points with a goal from their new Dutch signing, Joshua Zirkzee. Brighton, on the other hand, tops the Premier League table following their impressive win against a 10-man Everton at Goodison Park. Goals from Mitoma, Welbeck, and Adingra contributed to Brighton’s commanding performance against an Everton side struggling with Financial Fair Play constraints. This weekend’s clash promises to be an exciting one.
Both clubs are tied on three points after their opening matches, with Brighton leading on goal difference. In their last visit to Brighton on the final day of the previous season, Manchester United secured a 2-0 victory with goals from Dalot and Højlund.
With new signings on both sides, this match is expected to be a fiery encounter. Brighton, under their new 31-year-old manager Fabian Hürzeler, may bring a fresh tactical approach. Although it’s early in the season, Manchester United fans are hopeful that the team will perform better than last season and secure a Champions League spot. While a title challenge against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal may be ambitious, the optimism surrounding the new signings is palpable.
Brighton has been a tough opponent for Manchester United over the past two seasons. Although United has bolstered their squad, Brighton has also made improvements, notably with the addition of Yankuba Minteh, who posed a significant threat to Everton in their last match. Erik ten Hag will need to have a plan to counter Brighton’s strengths.
Manchester United will be eager to secure all three points, especially with the INEOS board closely watching and considering the addition of Ugarte to the squad. As United heads to Brighton for Saturday’s early kick-off, both teams are looking to build on their opening-day victories.
The Red Devils are aiming to win their first two matches of a Premier League campaign for the first time since the 2017-18 season. However, they face a formidable Brighton side at the Amex Stadium. Brighton will be confident, having won four of their last five Premier League encounters against United. United’s 43% loss rate against Brighton (6 out of 14 matches) is their highest against any single opponent in Premier League history, according to Opta.
This statistic underscores why none of the 14 Premier League meetings between Brighton and Manchester United have ended in a draw, with the Seagulls winning six and the Red Devils eight. Only Manchester United’s fixtures against Wigan (16) have been played more often without ever ending in a draw. So, could another home win be on the horizon for Brighton?
Manchester United record against Brighton Hove Albion:
| Games won: | 21 |
| Games drawn: | 5 |
| Games lost: | 7 |
Team News:
(As of today 24/08/2024)
Brighton Hove Albion: Pervis Estupiñán and Evan Ferguson are back in training. Brajan Gruda and Georginio Rutter may make their first appearances. Verbruggen and March are still sidelined.
Manchester United: Manchester United are still without Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelöf, Leny Yoro, and Tyrell Malacia. Hopefully, Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt get the nod to start this weekend.
Prediction:
Manchester United are still without Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelöf, Leny Yoro, and Tyrell Malacia. Hopefully, Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt get the nod to start this weekend.
Brighton 1 – 2 Manchester United.