Manchester United will be aiming to return to winning ways when they host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League this afternoon.
The Red Devils suffered a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on the road before the international break. The game was fairly even in the second half before two late goals from the Gunners.
United were hampered by the substitutions of Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof. The central defensive pair are available to face the Seagulls at Old Trafford today.
The club are currently on a three-match losing league streak against Brighton, and manager Erik ten Hag will want to end the dreadful record with a convincing victory.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
Andre Onana has been an undisputed starter in goal for United since his summer arrival from Inter Milan. The Cameroonian star will be eyeing his second clean sheet of the campaign. His only shut-out came in the curtain-raiser against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In defence, no changes are expected. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot had good outings in the full-back positions against the Gunners. Dalot was hugely impressive from the left-back spot and he kept Bukayo Saka at his grasp for almost the entire game.
Martinez and Lindelof were substituted at the Emirates Stadium due to a foot injury and an illness respectively. Both are fully fit for today’s encounter. They are expected to feature in central defence. Raphael Varane has not recovered from his injury yet.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen should be straightforward picks for the manager in midfield. Casemiro is an undisputed starter from the number six role and he should get the nod over Scott McTominay. With Mason Mount injured, Eriksen is the natural for the number eight spot.
The fans may have to wait longer for Sofyan Amrabat’s debut. The Moroccan has been nursing a minor back injury over the past couple of weeks and Ten Hag has confirmed that he won’t be available for today’s meeting against Roberto De Zerbi’s men.
Further forward, two changes are widely expected. Anthony Martial has been ineffective as the main striker in his previous two starts against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. The Frenchman should make way for Rasmus Hojlund to make his full debut at home.
With Antony away due to personal reasons, Facundo Pellistri seems the natural replacement on the right wing ahead of Alejandro Garnacho. The Uruguayan has been patiently waiting on the bench for his opportunity and it could be his time to thrive.
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are nailed-on starters in the number 10 and left wing positions respectively. Rashford has found form in the past two matchdays with one goal and one assist as well as winning a crucial penalty against Forest.
How Man Utd could line up vs Brighton
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
