How Manchester United should line up vs Brighton in Premier League fixture
How Manchester United should line up vs Brighton in Premier League fixture
When Manchester United hosts Brighton at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, they will be hoping to end their troubling run of form.
Ralf Rangnick’s team has produced some good football in the last three games, but they have all ended in defeat after some equally poor elements of play.
In all competitions, Brighton has never beaten United on the road, drawing twice and losing 11 of their 13 visits. They’ve just managed one point from a possible 24 at Old Trafford in the Premier League (D1 L7), losing all four of their visits.
In terms of early team news, Fred will be available for the match, but Edinson Cavani, who turned 35 on Valentine’s Day, is still out with a groin ailment, and Nemanja Matic is out with a shin injury.
In every outfield department, United has to be re-energized. Harry Maguire should have been dropped at the weekend, but he wasn’t, and his performance was arguably worse than at Burnley.
Scott McTominay struggled against Southampton’s midfield, and as loose as it would be to have Fred and Paul Pogba as midfielders, an entertaining win or defeat would top the Groundhog Day monotony of another 1-1 tie from a purely professional standpoint.
Anthony Elanga, like practically every other United winger, surely despises playing on the right flank, but we’ll believe it when we see it, and he should replace Marcus Rashford.
Fay Rich
It’s evident that something needs to change, and there may be two in terms of the lineup. Maguire doesn’t deserve to start on his current form, and Lindelof would be a good replacement in defense once again.
After his return, Fred must play, but Pogba does not deserve to be benched. If the 4-3-3 is to be maintained, McTominay may have to make do with a bench spot.
At the moment, Sancho is untouchable up top, and Ronaldo is the only central striker available. Rashford may be looking for a surprise call-up as the main striker, but he is still the best of an unimpressive right-back group.
United’s strongest lineup has become evident in recent weeks, but Rangnick will have to make more selections now that Telles and Fred are ready.
