Predicted Manchester United XI vs Brighton: Martinez & Amad start

In partnership with

Stretty News

·17 maggio 2024

Predicted Manchester United XI vs Brighton: Martinez & Amad start

Erik ten Hag has big decisions to make this weekend when he names his Manchester United line-up for the final Premier League fixture of the season against Brighton. The manager should have at least one eye on next week’s FA Cup final.

Manchester United are eighth in the Premier League table and need a result if they are to have any chance of securing European football. That said, we blew of chance of achieving by winning on Sunday since the highest finish we can hope for is seventh.

OneFootball Video

However, United will get another chance in the FA Cup final against Man City. A win over our rivals would book a place in next season’s Europa League – which, is the best we can hope for!

That’s why the trip to Wembley has to be the focus for Ten Hag, who needs to manage minutes with certain players when the team travels to Brighton.

Lisandro Martinez returned to action against Newcastle on Wednesday night after missing most of the season. His recent injury set him back six weeks, but he played 10 minutes against the Magpies and will be looking to get more time under his belt before the final.

Ten Hag confirmed at his press conference on Thursday that Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane were both closing in on being available again, although the upcoming game against the Seagulls will come too soon for both players.

“I can’t say in this moment [if anyone will return on Sunday] but we are working to bring players back,” Ten Hag told reporters.

“We have seen yesterday Licha Martinez [is back], he had a good session now as well. There were also others on the pitch like Rapha Varane, Victor Lindelof, they returned on the pitch. We have to see how far [off a return] they are on Sunday.

“Tomorrow we have off, Saturday we have training, and then we will see what we have.”

Manchester United predicted line-up vs Brighton

Andre Onana will start between the sticks. His distribution was poor on Wednesday night, with too many long balls being dispossessed.

The back four should see a change because it is time to take Casemiro out of defence. I think Lisandro Martinez should be given 60 minutes max Jonny Evans. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Erik ten Hag can Harry Amass a debut in this one, eliminating the chance to rest any of our full-backs.

In midfield, it would be nice to see United control a game before taking on Man City in a winner-takes-all clash. Sofyan Amrabat is trying to play his way into the team for the final, his presence in the middle should benefit Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes needs minutes (not necessarily 90).

Marcus Rashford is another player who returned against Newcastle, but he can expect to get the nod from the start this weekend. Amad Diallo is another fringe player trying to edge his way into Ten Hag’s plans for the final, and Rasmus Hojlund got a rest against Newcastle midweek, despite coming off the bench to score the winner.

There are other players in the team who could benefit from having a rest ahead of the final. That’s why I have left Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo out of the team for this one.

Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Kambwala, Evans, Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Amrabat, Fernandes; Amad, Hojlund, Rashford.

Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.