Darren Fletcher has confirmed the latest on Manchester United’s team news as they welcome Brighton to Old Trafford in the FA Cup.
Manchester United welcome Brighton to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon as they begin their FA Cup campaign.
The Reds have already played 22 competitive matches this season, 21 in the Premier League and one in the Carabao Cup, where they exited in the second round against Grimsby Town. With that in mind, the FA Cup offers a welcome change of focus.
United come into the tie following a turbulent week, having parted ways with Rúben Amorim on Monday before drawing 2-2 with Burnley on Wednesday night. Despite the upheaval, there were encouraging signs, including two goals from Benjamin Šeško and a brief but eye-catching cameo from 18-year-old Shea Lacey.
Brighton’s visit also comes with uncertainty surrounding the dugout, as the club continue their search for a caretaker manager to take charge until the end of the 2025/26 season. Former United favourites Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Michael Carrick remain among the leading options.
Fletcher explains United team news latest
Following Amorim’s dismissal, interim boss Darren Fletcher was blessed with four returns from injury as he selected his squad to face Burnley, although Matthijs de Ligt was still missing.
Bruno Fernandes returned to the starting XI and played an hour of action after a hamstring issue. At the same time, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, and Kobbie Mainoo returned on the bench, with the former and latter entering the fray in the second half.
Speaking to the press on Friday afternoon, Feltcher was asked whether there were any injury concerns or further issues ahead of the cup clash. “Same players available,” was his simple answer.
When asked to expand on Maguire, the Scot said: “He’s been out for a while. When you see the players coming back the other night, there has to be some understanding with their first minutes may need to be careful.”
Could Mbeumo or Mazraoui face Brighton?
In parallel with United’s domestic campaign, two of their star players, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui, will face each other in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final round.
The Cameroon vs Morocco match is scheduled for Friday afternoon, and the loser will be eliminated from the tournament and return home. Mbeumo represents the former, while Mazraoui is a key player for the latter.
Although the tie takes place a few days before the Brighton match and whoever loses will return to Manchester, the United interim boss has explained that it will be too late for either player to feature against Brighton.
“I don’t think so, too close to the tournament,” Fletcher said when asked if he is planning to use whoever is knocked out of the game. Meanwhile, Amad’s Ivory Coast side will face Egypt on Saturday evening.
Whoever of the AFCON trio returns this weekend will be able to have a full week back in training ahead of welcoming Manchester City to Old Trafford next weekend, which will be a welcome boost for whoever is selected as the club’s caretaker manager until the end of the campaign.
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