Brighton vs Man Utd: Preview, predictions and lineups
Manchester United wrap up their underwhelming 2023/24 Premier League season away at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.
United have not enjoyed their recent clashes with the Seagulls; losing their last four in the league. They did, however, beat Robert De Zerbi’s side in last season’s FA Cup semi-final on penalties.
Erik ten Hag has another FA Cup final to look forward to after Sunday’s game, but this could be his last Premier League outing as United boss if he fails to convince Sir Jim Ratcliffe to keep him on beyond this summer.
However, the Dutchman did oversee one of United’s most impressive performances of the season on Wednesday as they beat Newcastle 3-2 at Old Trafford. Victory on Sunday and Ten Hag will avoid the tag of being the manager to lead the club to their worst-ever Premier League season.
The Red Devils are taking on a Brighton side that have long been desperate for the season to end. The Seagulls could finish as low as 13th if results don’t go their way on Sunday – a finish that’d mark a disappointing decline having qualified for the Europa League last season. They head into this one having been beaten by Chelsea on home soil in midweek.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Sunday’s season finale at the Amex.
Brighton vs Man Utd H2H Record (Last Five Games)Current form (all competitions)Brighton
Man Utd
Brighton 1-2 Chelsea – 15/05/24
Man Utd 3-2 Newcastle – 15/05/24
Newcastle 1-1 Brighton – 11/05/24
Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal – 12/05/24
Brighton 1-0 Aston Villa – 05/05/24
Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd – 06/05/24
Bournemouth 3-0 Brighton – 28/04/24
Man Utd 1-1 Burnley – 27/04/24
Brighton 0-4 Man City – 25/04/24
Man Utd 4-2 Sheffield Utd – 24/04/24
Country
TV channel/live stream
United Kingdom
N/A
United States
Peacock, nbcsports.com, CNBC, NBC Sports App
Canada
fuboTV
Kaoru Mitoma has endured an injury-hit season / GLYN KIRK/GettyImages
There are unlikely to be many returns from injury for Brighton’s final game of the season on Sunday.
Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, Solly March, Pervis Estupinan, Jack Hinselwood and James Milner are all set to miss out, with Jan Paul van Hecke (hamstring) and Joel Veltman (knock) both doubtful.
Joao Pedro shook off a knock to start in midweek, so he should retain his place in the team.
Brighton predicted lineup vs Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Lamptey, Webster, Dunk, Igor; Gilmour, Gross; Buonanotte, Pedro, Adingra; Welbeck.
Lisandro Martinez came off the bench on Wednesday / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/GettyImages
Bruno Fernandes returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday having missed United’s previous two games, while both Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford earned cameos off the bench. All three could be included in Ten Hag’s final starting XI of the season.
The boss was hopeful that Mason Mount would play again before the campaign draws to a close, so the England international could make Sunday’s matchday squad.
United are set to once again be without Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial and Victor Lindelof.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Martinez, Dalot; Amrabat, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund.
Wednesday’s victory over Newcastle was a rare bright night for Ten Hag’s United, and they’ll be looking to carry that momentum into the final day.
United’s youngsters starred in midweek and they could put on another show against a Brighton team that clearly checked out of 2023/24 quite some time ago.
Questions over Roberto De Zerbi’s future have hindered the Seagulls considerably during the second half of the season, and although Sunday’s hosts have an excellent recent record against the Red Devils, Ten Hag’s side could build on their latest performance and end the season with back-to-back wins.
Prediction: Brighton 1-3 Man UtdREAD THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP
