Last May, on reversed pitches, the meeting between these two teams ended with the resounding result of 4-0 for Brighton. It was a game that ultimately served little purpose in terms of the league table, but arguably epitomised a disastrous and confusing season for Manchester United. Which, despite the romantic return of Cristiano Ronaldo, failed to finish in the top four, thus losing the chance to play in this year’s Champions League. The Red Devils have changed two coaches, but neither Solskjaer nor Rangnick have been able to turn things around and, above all, restore serenity in a locker room increasingly resembling a powder keg.
A task that from this summer will fall to Erik ten Hag, whose experience at the helm of Manchester United began with the CR7 ‘grana’. The Portuguese has taken part in almost none of the pre-season friendlies, has expressed the desire to make a change, and in the last test against Rayo Vallecano he even quarrelled with the former Ajax coach for leaving the stadium when the match had not even finished.
Beyond what will be Ronaldo’s future – he is looking for a team that can allow him to play the Champions League – Ten Hag will try to reopen a new cycle. For now, no crazy spending but only targeted purchases to please the coach. Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Eriksen have arrived but, according to English media reports, the club should make another attempt for Barça’s Frenkie de Jong. A tricky opener, meanwhile, against Graham Potter’s men, who are coming off an impressive ninth place finish. Salvation is still within reach but finishing in the top ten again will not be easy, especially after the departures of Cucurella and Bissouma, sold to Chelsea and Tottenham respectively.
Graham Potter, Brighton coach ©️Ansafoto
The Prediction
Cristiano Ronaldo yes or Cristiano Ronaldo no? The Portuguese ace, while waiting to find out what his future will be, is expected to start from the 1′ but a soft debut does not loom for United. The team has done well in pre-season but the Seagulls will not give anything away. You can put a token bet on the Red Devils to win but the option to explore is goals: both should score at least one on the afternoon at Old Trafford.
Manchester United-Brighton
likely line-ups.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia; Fred, McTominay; Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Elanga; Rashford.
BRIGHTON (3-4-3): Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Webster; Lamptey, Mwepu, Gross, March; MacAllister, Welbeck, Trossard.
