Man United lock horns with Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford in their Premier League encounter on Saturday afternoon.
Christian Eriksen (left) and Rasmus Hojlund are pushing for starting berths. (Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Manchester United will be determined to get back to winning ways when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds, who have lost each of their last three league meetings with the Seagulls, will be looking to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal prior to the international break. Late goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus condemned the Reds to a second defeat in their last three games.
Though United have won half of their opening four matches this term – both of which were at Old Trafford – their performances, by and large, have been sluggish and uninspiring. They desperately need to produce a showing that will inspire their supporters.
Therefore, manager Erik ten Hag will be hoping that the international break, though it was dominated by off-field controversy, arrived at the right time for his players. On the flip side, though, he is still without some key individuals through injury, meaning the situation is not as rosy as he would like it to be.
However, among all of the uncertainty, summer signing Andre Onana is poised to continue in goal against Roberto De Zerbi’s side. He has started each of the Reds’ opening four games and will be desperate to record his first clean sheet since the 1-0 win over Wolves on the opening weekend.
Ahead of the former Inter Milan shot-stopper, Ten Hag could decide to name the same back-four that started against Arsenal, after it was confirmed that Lisandro Martinez is fit and available. He is poised to partner Victor Lindelof in the heart of the defence with Raphael Varane still unavailable.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is poised to continue at right-back and Diogo Dalot could once again line-up at left-back, though Sergio Reguilon, who joined the club on loan on deadline day, is knocking on the door for a start. Ten Hag may not risk making too many alterations to what is already a changed defensive line.
In midfield, Ten Hag could make one change to the trio that started against Arsenal last time out, handing a first start of the season to Scott McTominay. The Scot could join forces in the engine room with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, with the Dane operating as the most advanced member of the trio.
New signing Sofyan Amrabat may be forced to start his United career from the bench after a recent injury complaint.
McTominay could be drafted into the XI if Ten Hag decides to start Bruno Fernandes on the right-wing in the absences of Jadon Sancho and Antony. Facundo Pellistri is the most logical choice to start on the right – and should do so – but the Dutchman may refrain from awarding him his first Premier League start against such a dangerous opponent.
Fernandes started out wide on a handful of occasions last season and it would be no surprise to see that tactic repeated. Regardless of who does get the nod on the right-wing, however, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford should complete the attack.
Hojlund, who was awarded his United debut as a second half substitute against Arsenal, deserves to be awarded his first start for the club and lead the line. Rashford should keep his place on the left.
How Manchester United could possibly line-up against Brighton & Hove Albion.
United predicted line-up: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, McTominay, Eriksen; Fernandes, Hojlund, Rashford.
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