Aakarsh Bommakanti
Predicted Manchester United Line-up To Face Brighton And Hove Albion
Jose Mourinho’s men fell to their first European loss of the season earlier this week as a stoppage-time goal by Michael Lang in Basel left the Red Devils with nothing to take from the game. However, they are still well positioned in their UCL group. They are back in action this weekend, when they welcome newcomers Brighton and Hove Albion for a Premier League clash on Saturday.
The Seagulls are fresh from a draw against Stoke City at home and will face a Manchester United side, that put Newcastle United to the sword at Old Trafford in the previous round. Mourinho is expected to go for the kill to keep the pressure on Manchester City.
Team News
Jose Mourinho ruled Phil Jones out of this game, who will join Michael Carrick on the absentees list for this game. The manager revealed that Eric Bailly, struggling with a niggle, may yet be back in action this weekend.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Manager: Jose Mourinho
GK – David de Gea
The Spaniard got a well-deserved rest during the week and is expected to be back in action for United.
RB – Antonio Valencia
The veteran full-back has been one of the most consistent players for the club recently and should keep his place in the side at right-back.
CB – Chris Smalling
With Bailly still not fully fit, Smalling, who also started against Basel, is expected to retain his place at the heart of the United defence.
CB – Victor Lindelof
Though he was not used in the game in Switzerland, Lindelof is expected to partner Smalling, with Jones and Bailly unavailable for selection.
LB – Matteo Darmian
Ashley Young has done a good job at left-back for United this season but Mourinho should stick with Darmian, who had a decent outing against Basel.
CM – Nemanja Matic
Back into the starting XI should be Nemanja Matic, who was dropped from the team that played in the Champions League earlier this week.
CM – Paul Pogba
Got just over an hour of football in Basel but found the back of the net in the previous league game and will hope to put in a similar performance this week as well.
RW – Juan Mata
The Spaniard has been used as a No.10 recently but he should be back on the wing, in this game against the Seagulls.
CAM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Having lost his place in the first-team under Mourinho recently, Mkhitaryan should be given a chance to prove himself, in what could be an easy game for the hosts.
LW – Marcus Rashford
Martial put in a decent shift before he was replaced at the hour mark in Basel. However, he should be replaced by Rashford, who is expected to start on the left flank.
ST – Romelu Lukaku
Though Zlatan is finally fit, Lukaku remains United’s first choice striker and should lead the line for his side against Brighton this weekend.
