Brighton Hove Albion vs Manchester United Preview
By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01
It’s finally the end of a campaign that promised so much for United but delivered so little for Eric Ten Hag’s side, last season’s Top 4 finish and Cup win gave Manchester United fans an expectation that they might finally mount a title challenge this season but United have flattered to deceive. Knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages and conceding a damaging number of goals in the league has made United set for their worst league finish ever unless results go their way this final weekend.
As the 2023/24 Premier League campaign draws to a close this weekend, United will want to finish on a high with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion in this last round of matches.
The Red Devils currently sit in eighth spot and need both Chelsea and Newcastle to lose their games, along with overturning a significant goal difference (16 between them and Chelsea and 24 between them and Newcastle), to qualify for the Europa Conference League and finish sixth. With these slim chances, Erik ten Hag may choose to rest key players and focus on the FA Cup final and a place in the Europa League.
The two clubs are level on 57 points after Wednesday’s 3-2 win for Ten Hag’s team at Old Trafford, but Newcastle has a much superior goal difference. A Newcastle victory on Sunday would almost certainly ensure they finish ahead of Manchester United, but anything less would leave the door open for the Reds to overtake. Ending the season in sixth is mathematically possible, although extremely unlikely, as it would require a win that moves them above Newcastle and closes a 16-goal swing to Chelsea, who would also have to lose their game at home to Bournemouth.
While a seventh-place finish would guarantee a Conference League spot, United could still play in the UEFA Europa League next season if they beat Man City in next weekend’s FA Cup final.
Manchester United face a Brighton side that has won the last four head-to-head meetings between the sides and is looking to finish the season on a high and secure a top-half finish after recent home defeats to Arsenal, Man City, and Chelsea. Like United, the south-coast side has dealt with numerous injuries this season while reaching the last 16 in both the Emirates FA Cup and UEFA Europa League. Their participation in the latter tournament marked their first-ever campaign in a European club football competition. Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, a summer signing from Watford, has scored 20 goals in his first season at the club and returned to the squad in midweek from a one-game absence. He is the one to watch.
Manchester United record against Brighton Hove Albion:
| Games won: | 20 |
| Games drawn: | 5 |
| Games lost: | 7 |
Team News:
(As of today 19/05/2024)
Brighton Hove Albion: Pervis Estupinan, Evan Ferguson, Jack Hinshelwood, Solly March, James Milner, and Kaoru Mitoma remain unavailable for selection this weekend. Lewis Dunk, Joel Veltman, and J.P Van Hecke are still doubts for this match..
Manchester United: Manchester United are still without Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, Mason Mount, and Luke Shaw. However, the return of Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane could bolster United’s lineup.
Prediction:
Both sides have had somewhat underwhelming seasons and are likely to end on a draw. Joao Pedro and Bruno Fernandes are expected to get their names on the scoresheet.
Brighton 2 – 2 Manchester United.
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