Predicted Manchester United XI to face Brighton (Premier League)

Manchester United will face Brighton for the second time in two weeks as both sides look for revenge relating to previous results.

Most recently, Manchester United defeated Brighton 7-6 on penalties at Wembley Stadium after a 120-minute fixture saw the two sides draw 0-0, with Brighton no doubt looking for vengeance.

The win for the Red Devils saw Erik ten Hag guide his squad to a second domestic cup final in his debut season after they won the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United back in February.

Read More: Match officials – Brighton vs Manchester United (Premier League)

United, however, also have a reason for vengeance, as it was Brighton who delivered an opening Premier League fixture defeat for the club on the doorsteps of Old Trafford, with then Graham Potter’s Seagulls winning 2-1 in August of last year.

David de Gea started in the net that day, and will no doubt be in goal once again as the Reds travel down south.

He will likely be supported by Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw ahead of him, who have put in some valiant performances in central defence during the absence of injured duo Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.

With Aaron Wan-Bissaka continuing to impress at right back, he would be the first choice to start, with Diogo Dalot potentially lining up on the opposite flank in defence.

In midfield, United will be once again supported by Casemiro, who had the highest passing accuracy of United’s front six in their last fixture, at home against Aston Villa. He will have to be careful though, with the match referee being the same man who sent him off against Crystal Palace for violent conduct.

Partnering Casemiro will likely be Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen, with Ten Hag’s favoured midfield three once again operating in the middle of the park. Fernandes performed admirably against Villa on the right wing, but with Antony rested against Villa in order to keep his legs fresh, the Brazilan will probably reclaim his place on the right.

Supporting Antony up top may well be the man of the moment Marcus Rashford, who has operated as a central striker in the last few fixtures, scoring against Tottenham Hotspur and playing a key role in Fernandes’ winner against Aston Villa.

On the right flank, he will likely be joined by Jadon Sancho, who has filled this role since Rashford moved into a central attacking position. Sancho looked dangerous against Villa.

Full predicted XI:

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Sancho.