Manchester United vs Brighton: Three things to look out for (Premier League)

A 1-0 victory against Aston Villa on Sunday saw Erik ten Hag’s side take a big step closer to securing Champions League football, extending the gap to seven points over Liverpool in fifth with a game in hand.

Thursday’s opponents, Brighton, have their own European aspirations and will look to seek revenge over Manchester United after their FA Cup semi-final defeat last month.

Two back-to-back away games in just three days await Erik ten Hag‘s Reds, so rotation will play a key part, but it isn’t just United who will be shuffling the pack.

Read More: Predicted Manchester United XI to face Brighton (Premier League)

Here are three things to look for ahead of Manchester United’s trip to Brighton on Thursday.

#1 – Brighton’s rotation

A heavily-rotated Brighton team demolished Wolves 6-0 at the weekend with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo and Kaoru Mitoma starting from the bench.

The impressive performance will present a selection headache for the Brighton boss but those three have arguably been Brighton’s best players this term and a return to Roberto De Zerbi’s starting XI is likely.

#2 – Wan-Bissaka v Mitoma II

It’s been almost two weeks since these sides last met in the FA Cup semi-final and you wouldn’t be surprised if Kaoru Mitoma hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since.

The Japanese international has received plaudits after an impressive debut season for The Seagulls but he himself admitted defeat after taking on Wan-Bissaka at Wembley. The Brighton forward gave a brutally honest assessment when speaking to One Football after the game, “He is a strong opponent, that is what I thought while playing, I think it was a complete defeat.”

Thursday night could set up ’round 2′ which will once again be an interesting duel.

#3 – United’s Poor Away Form

Erik ten Hag’s men have struggled on the road and have just two wins from their last seven away in the Premier League. In the current top ten, The Reds have only beaten one team away from home which is tenth-placed Fulham.

Defeats against Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Brentford don’t make for good reading for United, especially as Brighton have only lost four league games at the Amex this season.

Next up for Ten Hag’s men is a trip to The London Stadium to take on relegation strugglers West Ham who will be looking to take a big step closer to Premier League safety.