Brighton and Hove Albion vs Manchester United tactical preview: Battles that will decide the game | OneFootball

If anyone thought that Manchester United’s last league game of the season was pretty much a dead rubber as the real prize is the FA Cup, an announcement changed the dimension.

Roberto de Zerbi announced that he is leaving the Seagulls after this game and with Erik ten Hag’s future under a cloud too, it adds an interesting dynamic to the game.

Therefore, it only makes sense that this game will be scrutinised closely for the tactical battle between the two managers.

Who knows, it might even be the game which prompts Sir Jim Ratcliffe to finalise the decision that could shape his ownership tenure at United?!

So here are the three battles that will decide the game tomorrow-

Pascal Groß vs Casemiro

In a moment that will have Casemiro breathing a sigh of relief, he should be back in defensive midfield for this one. On the other hand, he will be up against Pascal Groß, who has taken a liking to United during his Brighton days.

The midfielder is a chance-creating machine with a knack for the spectacular. He loves playing against United and has had some of his best Brighton displays against the Red Devils.

If Ten Hag continues with the chaos ball and no-midfield setup, Groß will have the run of the game on his finger. Casemiro has struggled to keep up with the pace of the game this season and Brighton’s maestro has a talent for picking up spaces from where he can hurt the opposition.

A diligent man-marking scheme, minus fouls, will be needed to contain the German and Casemiro will have to bring back last season’s version for United to have any chance.

Rasmus Hojlund vs Lewis Dunk

Hojlund found his scoring touch again with a late effort off the bench against Newcastle last time out. He needed that one, especially with the FA Cup final coming up. However, he will get a small taste of what awaits him there when he faces up against the duo of Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster.

Both Dunk and Webster are physical specimens who also have the passing ability to make pressing strikers look like fools. Hojlund has gotten into somewhat of a bad habit of engaging in physical duels with defenders instead of playing on the shoulder of the last man and terrifying with his pace.

He will need to do that here, especially because Brighton like to invite pressure before playing through the press. If he keeps shape out of possession and plays on Dunk’s shoulder in possession instead of coming short to take the ball into his feet, he can cause trouble.

Otherwise, it will be another long night for the Dane.

Danny Welbeck vs Lisandro Martinez

Written in the stars? Welbeck is coming into the game on the back of a scoring effort against Chelsea. The former United man will be hoping to take advantage of any rust that Martinez will have as he tries to get back into match rhythm before the all-important FA Cup final.

In his later years, Welbeck has turned into more of a “give-and-go” striker who thrives on small but intelligent movements to get him into goalscoring positions. Martinez will be dragged about due to this tendency of Welbeck. Being positionally disciplined but assertive when his zone is threatened is the way for Martinez to achieve success in this dual.

Otherwise, United could be looking at a situation where they need to score three or four times to win this.

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