Chris Hughton makes only one change from the Brighton side that drew 2-2 with Stoke City last weekend. Solly March comes into the side, replacing Jose Izquierdo on the left of the midfield.
Jose Mourinho makes seven changes from the side that were beaten 1-0 by Basel in their midweek Champion’s League group game. Marcus Rashford and Juan Mata line up in attack, while Nemanja Matic replaces Marouane Fellaini in the holding midfield role. Antonio Valencia, Victor Lindelof and Ashley Young will line up with Chris Smalling in defence and David de Gea returns to the side in goal, replacing Sergio Romero.
Brighton & Hove Albion Substitutes: Brown, Kayal, Goldson, Krul, Izquierdo, Hemed, Schelotto.
Brighton & Hove Albion XI (4-4-1-1): Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert, Stephens, Propper, March; Groß; Murray.
Manchester United Substitutes: Ibrahimovic, McTominay, Fellaini, Romero, Mkhitaryan, Rojo, Herrera.
Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): de Gea; Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Young; Pogba, Matic; Rashford, Mata, Martial; Lukaku.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Today’s game marks the first top-flight meeting between these two since March 1983, when Brighton drew 1-1 at Old Trafford. They have won only once in 16 games against United, with that sole victory coming in November 1982. Chris Hughton has no fresh injury concerns ahead of today’s trip to Manchester. Midfielder Beram Kayal has returned to the squad after being out with a broken leg but it is unlikely he will be risked for today’s game.
Brighton have made an impressive start to their Premier League campaign under Chris Hughton, picking up 16 points in their opening 12 games to sit ninth in the table. The Seagulls put in a brilliant battling display to come twice from behind to snatch a point against Stoke City last weekend and they will need to find that fighting spirit once again if they are to take anything from Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are unbeaten at home in 38 games across all competitions, winning 27 and drawing 11 of those fixtures. They last tasted defeat at home to Manchester City in September 2016 and they will be many peoples favourites to continue that run this afternoon. Mourinho will be without injured defenders Phil Jones and Eric Bailly and midfielder Michael Carrick, although Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahomivic may feature, with the former returning from a long-term knee injury against Basel in the midweek.
Manchester United were boosted by the return of Paul Pogba last weekend, who was influential as they came from a goal down to beat Newcastle United 4-1. Jose Mourinho’s side have still found ways to win games without their star midfielder but they have lacked a creative influence without him or Michael Carrick in the side and will be happy to have the Frenchman back at their disposal.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford.M