Game Week 2 Predictions: Goals galore at the Amex between United and Brighton

Brighton vs. Man United preview: Can Ten Hag's side overcome their struggles against the Seagulls? Exciting match expected with goals from both teams

Brighton has always caused United problems, will they do it again at the Amex on Saturday? (Photo credit Opta)

 

Brighton vs. Manchester United

AMEX Stadium

12:30pm

It’s the lunchtime kickoff for Erik Ten Hag and his Manchester United lads this weekend, and it’s taking them to the home ground of Brighton and Hove Albion, a team they have somewhat struggled against in the last few seasons.

Manchester United opened their accounts for the new season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend. It was the first game of the 2024/2025 season, and it was a gritty one with three points to celebrate in the end.

Brighton dispatched Everton at Goodison Park without breaking a sweat. It was their new manager's Premier League debut, the youngest to ever do it in the Premier League, and at just 21, Fabian Hurzelar is here to write a new story.

Ashley Young's professional foul on Kaoru Mitoma, who was through on goal, earned the Toffees a red card in the second half, but the hosts couldn't use the score of 2-0 as a justification.

Where are the two teams ahead of this fixture? Manchester United still has some business to do in the transfer window; the Red Devils are still in talks with PSG for Manuel Ugarte while they seek solutions for the potential departures of Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho.

Brighton has spent so much money in this window, something that wasn’t available for the departed Roberto Di Zerbi. While you expect some players to leave before the deadline, you won’t put it past them to announce another new name or two.

How does Hurzelar play? The new Brighton manager continued the exciting football we know with the Seagulls: they move the ball quickly, stretch opponents through the flanks, and take chances early. That was evident in the three goals they scored against Everton last weekend.

Manchester United pressed Fulham quite well, but they also left spaces behind for the Lilywhites to exploit. They won’t want to afford Brighton acres of space to hurt them. There's some sort of defensive stability for United now, with Nasir Mazraoui filling in at right back, Mathijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez expected to start at center half, and Diogo Dalot completing the back four.

Brighton will once again unleash fleet-footed Yankuba Minteh and Japanese star Mitoma. It will be interesting to see how United plans for them. We expect Joshua Zirkzee to start, and Kobbie Mainoo will engage in an intriguing midfield battle. Will Casemiro make a return?

Verdict: Both teams score