90min
·4 August 2022
90min
·4 August 2022
Manchester United begin the process of improving upon a calamitous 2021/22 campaign with a home match against Brighton on Sunday afternoon.
The Seagulls played a starring role in Manchester United's limp conclusion to the club's lowest-ever Premier League points haul, romping to a 4-0 victory on the south coast in May.
With Erik ten Hag installed at the wheel, Manchester United should be a far less agreeable opponent compared to the mess Brighton rolled over three months ago.
Here's everything you need to know about the reunion of this pairing.
Channel: Sky Sports Main EventChannel: Sky Sports Premier LeagueChannel: Sky Ultra HDStreaming Service: NOW TVStreaming Service: Sky GoBroadcast Time: 13:00 (BST)
Streaming Service: fuboTVBroadcast Time (EST): 09:00
Channel: Sky Sports FootballChannel: BBC Match of the Day 2Stream: Sky Football YouTube channel
Manchester United: 4 WinsBrighton: 1 WinDraws: 0 Draws
Manchester United: WWDLDBrighton: WDWLW
Anthony Martial's attempts to rediscover his best form for Manchester United have been hampered by a hamstring injury sustained on the eve of the season.
After a tumultuous summer spent stressing his desire to leave, Cristiano Ronaldo begrudgingly returned to the squad only to play 45 minutes of pre-season before storming out of Old Trafford. Ten Hag hasn't tip-toed around the issue of Ronaldo, publicly reprimanding his behaviour and insisting he has to prove himself before waltzing into the team.
Luke Shaw has returned to training following a fever. Jadon Sancho also suffered an illness at the end of July but is expected to feature this weekend.
Manchester United Starting 11: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia; Fred, McTominay; Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga; RashfordBench: Heaton, Lindelof, Eriksen, Garner, Pellistri, Van de Beek, Ronaldo
Jakub Moder's return from a knee injury is at such an early stage in his recovery Graham Potter is unwilling to put a timescale on his return.
Alexis Mac Allister, conversely, is expected to be available this weekend despite flagging an issue with his groin during the club's final friendly of the summer.
Brighton's luck with fitness concerns during the off-season has been so good Potter felt compelled to call upon the fates ahead of the impending campaign: "Pre-season has gone well with injuries, so touch wood, we’ll be OK."
Manchester United may have a new furrowed brow in the dugout but the mishaps remain. Ronaldo's lack of season readiness - underlined by Ten Hag insisting: "He has to get fit" - has been amplified by Martial's injury.
The Dutchman will have to tweak his preseason preparations, shifting Marcus Rashford uncomfortably through the middle, but the Red Devils should have enough to squeeze past a Brighton side not to be underestimated.