Man Utd team news: Predicted XI vs Brighton as Amorim decides on Amad rest and key return | Football | Sport
Manchester United are eyeing a third consecutive win in all competitions when Brighton and Hove Albion visit Old Trafford on Sunday. The Red Devils have lost five of their last six Premier League meetings with Brighton, including on home turf in the past two seasons.
Ruben Amorim will understand the tough assignment that awaits days after the underwhelming performance against Southampton that preceded Amad’s late hat-trick.
Express Sport runs through the United boss’ likely lineup in the third game in eight days, including three changes.
Man Utd predicted XI vs Brighton (3-4-3)
Goalkeeper: Onana
Rescued United from humiliation with a number of saves to deny Southampton during Thursday’s 3-1 win, including his third miraculous double save of the season.
Defence: De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez
Kamaldeen Sulemana ran Leny Yoro ragged with his explosive pace midweek in a brutal reality check for the 19-year-old centre-back.
Amorim is likely to restore the rested Harry Maguire to his back three and drop Yoro to the bench as he continues his transition into English football.
Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, and Lisandro Martinez’s performances were the foundations of United’s positive results at Liverpool and Arsenal at the start of the year.
The trio will have to be at their best to thwart Brighton’s lively attack and keep the Red Devils’ first clean sheet in 12 matches.
Midfield: Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot
Diogo Dalot missed the Southampton victory through a one-match suspension after his sending-off in last Sunday’s FA Cup triumph over Arsenal.
Noussair Mazraoui moved over to the left in his absence but wasn’t as effective as he is on his natural side.
Expect the wing-back duo to return to their usual roles in recent weeks, with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo continuing their midfield partnership.
Both looked fatigued in a dismal first half against the Saints on Thursday but were withdrawn early and should be ready to go again.
Attack: Amad, Fernandes, Zirkzee
Amorim has already confirmed that he will need Amad again this weekend while the dust is still settling from his outstanding late hat-trick to save United’s skin a couple of days ago.
The 22-year-old winger is United’s primary talisman and will welcome his return further up the pitch after filling in at right-wing-back last time out.
Bruno Fernandes will start in the other attacking midfield position as usual, with Joshua Zirkzee likely to enter the starting line-up over Rasmus Hojlund.
Zirkzee enjoyed his second successive positive substitute cameo to change the game against Southampton. Hojlund was largely ineffective again and has scored just twice in 16 league games this term.
