Manchester United will be bidding to return to winning ways in the Premier League on Tuesday night when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils, who are fifth in the table, one point off the top four, will head into the midweek game off the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw with Southampton in the weekend. Back-to-back draws with Burnley and Southampton respectively has sucked some of the momentum from their bid for a top-four finish.
Nonetheless, Ralf Rangnick’s men will be in an upbeat mood ahead of the clash with an exciting Brighton side, who are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games.
Manchester United Team News
Manchester United will have Fred available for selection after his recent bout with Covid-19, but Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani miss out again with shin and groin injuries respectively, confirmed Ralf Rangnick in his pre-match presser.
Meanwhile, Eric Bailly returned to first-team training on Monday, as he steps up his recovery from a swollen ankle that forced him to sit out games against Middlesbrough, Burnley and Southampton.
Predicted Man United Lineup vs Brighton (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
David de Gea continues to prove his worth in goal for Man United in every game and should start against Brighton at Old Trafford.
Defence
Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire have formed the central defensive partnership for the Red Devils in recent weeks and even though the club captain hasn’t been in the best of forms, this is a partnership Rangnick will be willing to invest more into.
However, there could be changes in the full-back positions with the interim boss wanting to freshen up things ahead of a busy run of games.
This could see Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles come into the Man United lineup at the expense of Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw today.
Midfield
Scott McTominay has done reasonably well in a deeper midfield role in recent games and should retain his place in the Man United lineup. As Rangnick might opt to freshen up things in midfield as well, Paul Pogba looks likely to make way for the returning Fred, even though the Frenchman has been excellent since returning from a long-term muscle injury earlier this month.
Bruno Fernandes is an undoubted starter for the Red Devils due to his tireless energy and ability to create something out of nothing,
Attack
Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to open his account for Man United this year, yet he continues to enjoy the trust of his manager who will be keen for his star striker to get back to goalscoring form ahead of the UCL knockout stages.
Jadon Sancho is enjoying, arguably, the best phase of his burgeoning Man United career and the goal against Southampton on Saturday should have given him a lot of confidence. While he has excelled on the left flank, the England international could move to the right to accommodate Anthony Elanga in the Man United lineup.
