Manchester United dey eye to continue their better form for Premier League as dem go host Brighton & Hove Albion for Old Trafford this Saturday evening. Both sides go knack again after their last meeting wey Brighton beat dem 3-1 for January.
Match Preview
Man United don pass through plenty wahala this season, but dem don dey catch small groove now after dem win back-to-back Premier League games under their head coach, Ruben Amorim.
Na the first time since he take over almost one year ago wey dem go win two league matches straight, and e also be the first time since dem win their last two games of the 2023-24 season plus the first match of this 2024-25 campaign.
After dem beat Sunderland 2-0 for Old Trafford, dem shock everybody last weekend as dem knack Liverpool 2-1 for Anfield — na goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire seal the win, marking Man United’s first victory for Anfield since Louis van Gaal time for 2016.
That win against the reigning champions na big moment for Amorim. Sir Jim Ratcliffe don give am three years to prove himself for Old Trafford, and right now, United don climb reach ninth for Premier League table — just three points behind their city rivals, Manchester City, wey dey second.
Old Trafford don still be better ground for dem as dem don win their last three Premier League home matches against Sunderland, Chelsea, and Burnley. That one match the same number of home wins wey dem get in their previous 13 home games before (D2 L8). The last time dem win more than three home matches back-to-back na between April and August 2023, before Brighton stop their run that year with a 3-1 win.
Truth be say, Brighton don dey disturb United for recent years — Man United don lose six of their last seven league meetings against Brighton (W1). Before that, dem only lose three in 17 league meetings (W12 D2 L3). Brighton just get their number recently.
For Brighton side, since dem lose 2-1 to Bournemouth for mid-September, dem don dey alternate between draw and win for their last four Premier League games. Dem don beat Chelsea 3-1 and Newcastle 2-1 during that run.
Danny Welbeck, wey don play for Man United before, show class against Newcastle as he score two goals including the 84th-minute winner wey secure all three points for Brighton. Right now, the Seagulls dey 10th for table, just one point behind Man United.
Even though dem don win three out of their eight league matches this season and still lead for two of their three draws, Brighton no too dey hold control for games. Dem don spend only about 24% of their game time winning, compared to 38% losing and 37% drawing — e show say dem still dey find balance.
Brighton problem still be defense. Dem don keep only one clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League matches — that one na against Wolves for May (2-0 win). But still, dem don only lose two of their last 13 top-flight games (W7 D4), so dem still be stubborn side.
Coach Fabian Hurzeler and him boys go still get confidence ahead of this match. Dem don win their last three Premier League away games against Man United, and the last time any team collect maximum points for Old Trafford three times straight before na Manchester City between 1968 and 1972 (five times straight!).
Manchester United Premier League form: W L W L W W
Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form: W L D W D W
Brighton & Hove Albion form (all competitions): L D W W D W
Team News
For Man United, Lisandro Martinez never ready return from him serious knee injury wey happen since February, so he go still miss this one. Harry Maguire and Mason Mount still dey doubt because dem get small knocks.
If Maguire no fit start, Leny Yoro go likely enter that back three with Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw. Amorim go also decide whether e go still use Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot as wing-backs or bring back Patrick Dorgu make e play left side.
Benjamin Sesko, wey score back-to-back goals before dem bench am against Liverpool, fit return to the starting lineup to replace Mount. For attack, he fit dey supported by Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo — and Mbeumo self don contribute plenty goals against Brighton before (six — three goals and three assists), only Southampton don suffer more from am.
For Brighton, Solly March and Adam Webster still dey out with knee injuries, while Jack Hinshelwood (ankle) still dey sidelined. Kaoru Mitoma (ankle), Joel Veltman (calf), and Brajan Gruda (knee) go still face late test before kickoff. But Diego Gomez don recover from hip injury and fit start this weekend.
Ferdi Kadioglu and Maxim De Cuyper go fight for that left-back spot, and if Mitoma no fit play, De Cuyper fit move go left-wing where he play last time against Newcastle. Carlos Baleba, wey United don dey eye for transfer, fit start for midfield. Danny Welbeck go likely lead the line again after scoring four goals in him last three league games, with Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh possibly joining am up front.
Manchester United possible lineup: Lammens; De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko
Brighton & Hove Albion possible lineup: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, De Cuyper; Welbeck
Conclusion
This match go surely hot as both teams dey in small confidence wave. United go wan protect their home run while Brighton go wan extend their fine record for Old Trafford. No dull moment expected here at all — goals dey likely show. Keep am locked on The Pidgin Blog as we go dey update this page LIVE with any new gist, lineup confirmation, and post-match reactions. This page dey active, so just dey refresh make you no miss any latest update!
