This Saturday sees Brighton host Manchester United in the second round of fixtures in the Premier League. The fixture sees Fabian Hurzeler take charge of Brighton at the AMEX Stadium for the first time.
Brighton are on the back of a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Everton with former Red, Danny Welbeck getting on the scoresheet. He also got himself an assist and was rewarded with player of the match.
Manchester United saw off difficulties from Fulham winning 1-0 via a late winner from new signing, Joshua Zirkzee. United’s last away fixture was Brighton in May where goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Diogo Dalot earned themselves a 2-0 victory.
Team news
The club have yet to reveal any fresh injuries to the squad, something that should be held in high regard. Luke Shaw remains sidelined and is not expected to feature until after the international break in September.
New signing, Matthijs de Ligt, played the final ten minutes of the opening-day victory. He could be in line to get more game time as he settles with his new team. Fellow newcomer, Noussair Mazraoui, played 81 minutes on the opening day and could be in line to retain his position in the starting lineup.
Joshua Zirkzee continues his integration into the lineup and his game-winning goal is sure to do him favours ahead of Saturday’s encounter. The Dutch striker played the final 29 minutes and could start as Hojlund continues to miss out on the action.
Leny Yoro will still be out for some time, he was pictured midweek on crutches as the team went for a meal in Manchester.
Previous encounters with The Seagulls
Brighton has become a tricky opposition for Erik ten Hag and his men. United have only beaten Brighton once after 90 minutes, in the last six encounters.
Aside from last season’s away win, the 20-time champions beat Brighton on penalties in the FA Cup semi-final in April 2023.
The opposition will head into the clash with high hopes. With an impressive recent head-to-head record coinciding with last week’s comfortable win, The Seagulls sit on top of the table.
Concerns were raised with the appointment of Hurzeler, the primary factor being his age. The German manager is just 31 years of age, seven years younger than their oldest squad member, James Milner.
Herzeler is on the back of a 2-year managerial stint with Bundesliga side St. Pauli. He guided them to fifth in his first season in 2. Bundesliga. In Herezeler’s second season, he won the league to see the club earn promotion to the top tier for the first time since 2010/11.
Positive United start
Although ten Hag’s side narrowly beat Fulham, there were certainly positives to take. Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount were among those who missed crucial chances that could have added to the victory.
Manchester United were defensively sound against Fulham, minus a couple of hiccups that saw Adama Traore get in behind. Mazraoui settled in well and had a 92% pass accuracy before being withdrawn with nine minutes remaining.
Despite doubts, Casemiro held his own and did not look out of place beside Kobbie Mainoo. The pair ended the game with an 85.5% pass accuracy between them.
The club go on to face Liverpool next weekend at Old Trafford. It will be the first meeting of Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot since May 2022, where Ajax beat Feyenoord 3-2.
