Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion Preview: Can United stop free-scoring Seagulls?

Manchester United will look to bounce back from their derby-day defeat as high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup third round.

United will still be reeling from Sunday’s disappointment, losing to 10-man Manchester City at home after a controversial Erling Haaland winner. 

Pro Ref’s subsequent apology to United, acknowledging that Enzo Fernandez interfered with play from an offside position before City’s goal, will be of little consolation. 

The Red Devils were unable to exert control over the game despite holding a numerical advantage for over an hour and rarely troubled Gianluigi Donnarumma in the City goal.

Michael Carrick’s side have had an inconsistent start to the season, with their only victories coming against newly promoted Ipswich and Azerbaijani side Sabah FK – who had not yet been founded when United last won the Premier League. 

Their other results are a draw with Everton and a loss to Hull City.

As a result, United sit 8 points behind Arsenal and Man City in the Premier League already, and their only clean sheet of the season came in the 4-0 victory against Sabah.

Coming into the season, question marks hovered over United’s ability to remain competitive across four competitions, and Wednesday's tie will test their depth.

When asked about managing minutes, Carrick said: “It’s important for us to win football matches and it’s important that we manage the squad as well and get everyone up and keep everyone up to speed, keep everyone ready, keep everyone part of it.

“But certainly we’re going into Wednesday trying to win the game.”

In contrast, Brighton come into the game fresh off a 5-0 victory against Coventry – the joint-biggest Premier League away win in their history – which saw them rise to fifth in the table.

They are the league’s leading scorers, having netted 13 times in four games, including a 4-0 victory against Aston Villa on the opening weekend.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said: “We expect a strong Manchester United; we expect a team that wants to react after their defeat, therefore that’s a big challenge for us. It’s very important that we show the belief that we go there to win this game.”

Brighton have an excellent record against United in recent times, winning seven of the last 11 meetings across all competitions, compared to United’s four.

The Seagulls will be hoping to improve their dismal history in this competition, with their best performance coming in 1978/79 when they made it to the quarter-final.

United, on the other hand, have won it six times, the third most of any club, with the most recent triumph coming in 2022/23.

Team News:

For United, Carlos Baleba, the summer signing from Brighton, is set to miss out against his former team but should be ready to play after the international break.

Luke Shaw will be assessed on the day to determine his availability.

Matthis De Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Amad Diallo and Tom Heaton will all remain sidelined.

Brighton’s extensive injury list includes Mats Wieffer, Jack Hinshelwood, Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Zadok Yohanna, Stefanos Tzimas and Evan Ferguson.

Georginio Rutter, Michael Svoboda and Femi Azeez will face late calls on their fitness.

Line-up Predictions:

Manchester United: Darlow; Mazraoui, Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Santos, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Sesko

Brighton & Hove Albion: Verbruggen; Costinha, Vušković, Struijk, Hadjam; Chema, Groß; Gómez, O’Riley, De Cuyper; David.

Score Prediction:

Manchester United 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion. Brighton advance on penalties.