Manchester United v Brighton preview, team news, tickets and prediction

Former Premier League champions Manchester United will lock horns with Brighton at Old Trafford in one of the games slated for January 2025.

It has been a rollercoaster campaign for the Red Devils, who suffered a slow start under former coach Erik Ten Hag before he was sacked at the start of November. Brighton, however, have proven to be a tough nut to crack in the league this term and they are looking good for one of the European slots. 

As of the time of writing, Manchester United, who are 13th on the log, have played 12 games and they have 16 points in their name. Brighton, who have played 13 games, are ranked 4th on the log and they have garnered 23 points. 

The former Premier League champions started the campaign on a high, picking a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fulham. That win was not convincing enough, as the Cottagers exposed Manchester United a few times. But the Red Devils only managed to escape unscathed because of Fulham’s profligacy in front of goal.

Manchester United’s frailties were eventually exposed in their second game against a talented and well-tutored Brighton side. Then in their third game of the season, they fell characteristically to Liverpool. It was not even a vantage Liverpool performance, but Manchester United still failed to eke out a decent result. United then beat Southampton comfortably before grinding out a goalless draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. 

Then, in the game that followed, they were torn apart by a rampant Tottenham Hotspur side, as they lost 3-0.

Manchester United went on to pick a draw against Aston Villa and claimed a big 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford. However, they lost to a struggling West Ham side 2-1. That was the last straw that broke the back of the camel, as Ten Hag got the sack after that result.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who was brought in as Ten Hag’s assistant at first then led the team to a draw against Chelsea and a 3-1 win over Leicester City. Amorim took charge of his first game against Ipswich some weeks ago. And although it was a disappointing performance, Manchester United escaped with a draw. Amorim eventually led the team to a win in the Europa League, but he will be looking for more consistency in the Premier League as the season progresses. 

Following that hard-fought win, Amorim spoke about his time at the club so far, saying: “Yeah, and I get anxious because I don’t know what will happen. You know, because you don’t control nothing at the moment. We are trying to see different things. Of course we have an idea for each game, but I don’t know the players and we don’t work a lot together. So we go to the game excited because we want to see different things, but at the same time, you are a little bit anxious and nervous because you don’t know how the game will go.”

“I know it will be tough. We will have problems in the future but that is normal in every club and with every coach. We are changing in the middle of the season and we know that we don’t have time to train. I believe in the people, I believe in the players, I believe in the staff and I feel at home. I have a job to do and I know how to do that job. You have to be lucky, sometimes the ball hits the post and goes in so these small things will help us. I am confident because I believe in everyone in this squad,” the former Sporting Lisbon coach concluded.

Meanwhile, Brighton have been decent in the Premier League this season. They are currently fighting for one of the European spots. The Seagulls have beaten Manchester City and have taken a point off Arsenal. Judging by that and their position on the log, they are having a fine season. They did not make it to Europe last term, but they will be pleased with what they have done so far. In addition, they will be keen to maintain that form by finishing strong. 

Amorim’s boys will not just be fighting for the three points. They will also be fighting for their place in the team next season. However, Brighton have won on each of their previous two visits to Old Trafford. 

Match tickets

This match at Old Trafford in Manchester starts on Saturday 18th January 2025, at 15:00 GMT. 

The 75,635-capacity stadium is the place for this clash between the Red Devils and the Seagulls.

Getting Manchester United v Brighton tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels. 

Team news

Line-ups

Manchester United have a fairly fit squad going into the encounter. Barring any last-minute injuries, Ruben Amorim will have the full complement of his squad. 

Manchester United XI: Andre Onana; Matthijs De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui; Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo; Rasmus Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford.

The likes of James Milner (thigh), Solly March (knee), Jack Hinshelwood (knee) and Adam Webster (thigh) are some of the Brighton players currently injured. While Ferdi Kadioglu (toe) and Yankuba Minteh (muscle) have minor injuries but should be fit for this trip to Old Trafford. At the time of writing, Lewis Dunk and Tariq Lamptey both returned to training this week after recovering from calf problems.  

Barring injuries, Georginio Rutter, Joao Pedro, and Mitoma are all expected to line up behind in-form Welbeck as he prepares to face his former side in a crucial Premier League game. 

Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan; Wieffer, O’Riley; Rutter, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.

Prediction

The game promises to be filled with excitement due to the way both teams always shape up. Manchester United are still getting used to Amorim’s style of play, but they have shown some weakness at the back. And that will be the area the Seagulls will be looking to exploit having beaten them in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Get your Manchester United tickets on time for this game.

Both clubs have not exactly covered themselves in glory when it comes to defending. Manchester United have conceded 13, while Brighton have conceded 17 – one of the highest in the division. Brighton have won three of the past four meetings between them. 

Manchester United 3-2 Brighton

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