Three changes made: Confirmed Manchester Utd’s starting XI vs Brighton & Hove Albion – as Ten Hag seeks revenge today
Manchester United is gearing up for a challenging encounter at the Amex Stadium, where they will face Brighton & Hove Albion in a Premier League clash. This will be the second consecutive week that the Red Devils kick off the game week with the first match, adding a layer of anticipation for fans and players alike.
Under the guidance of Erik ten Hag, Manchester United delivered an impressive performance against Fulham in their previous match. Although the final score was a narrow 1-0 victory, the team showcased a dynamic style of play, creating numerous scoring opportunities. However, their inability to convert these chances into goals left room for improvement.
A bright spot in that game was the debut of new signing Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch forward made an immediate impact by coming off the bench in the second half and scoring the decisive goal. Zirkzee’s promising start has likely earned him the confidence of Ten Hag, who may now consider him for a starting position in the upcoming match against Brighton.
Brighton, on the other hand, enters this fixture on a high, having secured an emphatic 3-0 win over Everton. Known for their attacking football, the Seagulls will look to take the game to Manchester United and might even dominate certain phases. However, this could play into United’s hands, as Ten Hag’s team excels at capitalizing on counter-attacking opportunities.
Given the circumstances, here’s a potential lineup Erik ten Hag might field against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Saturday:
In goal, Andre Onana is expected to continue his role, aiming for another clean sheet against the likes of Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma. Noussair Mazraoui, who impressed on his debut, is likely to retain his spot at right-back. At the heart of the defense, new acquisition Matthijs de Ligt could be given the nod, replacing Harry Maguire to partner with Lisandro Martinez. Diogo Dalot is expected to maintain his position at left-back.
In midfield, the pairing of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, who performed admirably against Fulham, should remain as the two holding midfielders in a double pivot role. Bruno Fernandes is likely to return to his preferred number 10 role in a 4-2-3-1 formation, moving away from the false nine position he occupied in the last match. This shift might result in Mason Mount starting the game on the bench.
On the left flank of the attack, Marcus Rashford is expected to retain his spot, despite a less-than-stellar performance against Fulham. On the right wing, Alejandro Garnacho could replace Amad Diallo, providing fresh energy to the attack. Up front, Joshua Zirkzee might be rewarded with a start as the central striker, following his impressive debut.
Facing Brighton will be no easy task, as Fabian Hurzeler has molded his team into a formidable force, known for their goal-scoring prowess and attacking football. Manchester United will need to be at their best to secure a positive result, and it remains to be seen if Erik ten Hag’s tactics will guide his team to victory in what promises to be a closely contested match.
