Manchester United vs Brighton: Match Preview, Kickoff Time, and Team Updates
Manchester United Manager Ruben Amorim Braces for Continued Challenges Amid Club Rebuild
Fixture Details:
Match: Manchester United vs Brighton
Competition: English Premier League
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom
Kickoff: 2 PM (16:00 GMT) on Sunday
Coverage: Follow Al Jazeera’s live updates, including text commentary and photo stream.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has cautioned that the club’s turbulent season is far from over, emphasizing that his squad is still adjusting to his tactical demands. His remarks come on the heels of a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton, where Amad Diallo netted an astonishing 12-minute hat-trick to overturn what seemed to be an imminent upset at Old Trafford.
United’s latest triumph followed a resilient 2-2 draw with Liverpool and a morale-boosting FA Cup victory over Arsenal. However, Amorim, who took charge in November following Erik ten Hag’s departure, has previously warned of a challenging transition period, which saw the club endure six losses in eight matches.
Despite the win against Southampton, Manchester United remain in a disappointing 12th place in the Premier League standings, and Amorim predicts more ups and downs ahead as the team continues its adaptation process.
"It’s going to be tough until the end of the season," Amorim admitted. "There will be highs and lows, and much of that depends on the limited time we have for training. We are still in the FA Cup and the Europa League, which adds to the challenge."
The Portuguese coach stressed the importance of upcoming fixtures, particularly the Europa League clash against Rangers at Old Trafford next Thursday. "It’s crucial to stay focused and aim for a top-eight finish," he added. "Sometimes we’ll play well, sometimes we won’t, but we need to keep pushing forward."
Amorim acknowledged that his side struggled against Southampton, citing fatigue as a key issue. Manuel Ugarte, whose own goal put Southampton ahead, was one of several players showing signs of exhaustion.
"Ugarte was fatigued after his efforts against Liverpool," Amorim explained. "He and Bruno Fernandes were outstanding in that match, but the intense schedule takes a toll on all players in the Premier League."
Team News:
Manchester United:
Diogo Dalot returns after serving a one-match suspension.
Mason Mount and Luke Shaw remain sidelined due to injuries.
Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte could be rotated after being substituted against Southampton due to fatigue.
Brighton:
Veteran midfielder James Milner is unavailable due to injury.
Ferdi Kadioglu is also ruled out with a knock.
Georginio Rutter could return to the starting lineup after scoring as a substitute in Brighton’s last match against Ipswich.
Head-to-Head Stats:
Brighton have the opportunity to become only the second club to secure three consecutive Premier League away victories against Manchester United, a feat previously achieved only by Manchester City, who have done so twice.
The Seagulls have enjoyed a dominant spell in recent encounters, winning five of their last six matches against the Red Devils. Another victory on Sunday would further cement their strong record against the Manchester club.
With both sides aiming for crucial points, Sunday’s showdown at Old Trafford promises to be an intriguing battle.