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Brighton vs Manchester United news: Saturday showdown throws up south-coast stalemate scrutiny

Manchester United travel to the AMEX Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday looking to make it eight straight wins in all competitions over Graham Potter's in-form Brighton & Hove Albion.

The hosts have only lost one of their last games in the Premier League - a 3-0 defeat by defending champions and leaders Manchester City - and have no reason to fear the visitors.

This is one of only two home games remaining for the Seagulls and the visit of Manchester United is an ideal fixture to try turn around a poor run of form at the AMEX.

The visitors have incoming manager Erik ten Hag waiting to usher in a new chapter for the club.

United have lost their last four on the road in the Premier League and a large section of match-going supporters simply cannot wait for the season to end.
A huge summer lies ahead for ten Hag as he sets about restoring the club to former glories.

When: Saturday 7 May, 2022 (17:30 BST)

Where: The AMEX Stadium

How to watch: Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event

Follow this game via our score centre

Who is the referee for Brighton vs Manchester United

Andy Madley will take charge of Saturday's fixture at the AMEX Stadium.
He was the man in the middle for the goalless draw between Leicester City and Aston Villa at King Power Stadium on April 23.
His last red card was shown to Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark in the 1-1 draw with Norwich City back on November 30 last year.

Games refereed by Andy Madley in season 2021/22: Games 25, yellow cards 59, red cards 2.

Assistants: Darren Cann, Adrian Holmes.

Fourth official: John Brooks.

VAR: Chris Kavanagh.

Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.

Recent form

Brighton produced arguably their best performance of the season in a 3-0 win at Wolves last Saturday to secure their best-ever Premier League points tally (44).
The Seagulls are in ninth with three games to go but must address their home form if they are to improve next season.
Graham Potter's men have only won three of 17 league games at the AMEX this season and scored the joint-fewest (12) with relegated Norwich City.
Manchester United head to the south coast looking to build on Monday's comfortable 3-0 win over Brentford.

The Reds are in sixth on 58 points - five points behind Arsenal in the final Champions League spot having played two games more.

Ralf Rangnick's men have lost their last four on the road, conceding 12 goals and scoring only twice, and the Brentford victory ended a three-game winless sequence in the top flight.

Recent players in form

Belgium schemer Leandro Trossard scored in the win at Wolves to take his tally to seven in the top flight and is behind only Neal Maupay (eight) in the Brighton top goalscorer pecking order.
He has also scored three goals in his last four league matches - as many as he had in his previous 24 - and Brighton will be mindful of the fact that he, along with Alexis Mac Allister and Yves Bissouma, is about to enter into the final year of his contract.

Bruno Fernandes scored his 50th for Manchester United in the Brentford win and Cristiano Ronaldo continues to break new records.

The Portugal superstar has scored 18 goals in 29 Premier League appearances for United so far this season - as many as he did in his final season in his first spell at the club before he left for Real Madrid (18 in 33 appearances) in 2008/09.

Past meetings

Manchester United have owned this fixture in recent seasons and will look to make it eight straight wins in all competitions over hosts Brighton on Saturday.
United have won 19 of the 28 meetings between the two clubs, with Brighton winning only three and five matches ending in draws.
Portugal team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes were on target as the Reds completed a comfortable 2-0 win over Saturday's opponents in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in February.
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk was sent off in that game for denying Anthony Elanga a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Managers' thoughts

Brighton manager Graham Potter told reporters that he and his side aren't targetting any particular position.

"It sounds simplistic but we just have to focus on the next match. We have nine points to fight for and the only way you do that is with the next one - so Manchester United at the weekend.

"It's a fantastic game for everybody, we need to focus on that and get three points."

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick praised his side's home form ahead of Saturday's match.

"I think the last two home games, we got four points against Chelsea and Brentford, we spoke about the Brentford game it was one of our best games in possible of the ball and in the last six months and I am positive the team will play at the same kind of level at Brighton and two weeks time at Crystal Palace.

"What I like is they had fun playing together on the pitch and this is exactly the same kind of approach we need for the game tomorrow."

Predicted teams

Enock Mwepu (groin) was forced off in the 3-0 win at Wolves and is unavailable for hosts Brighton.
Tariq Lamptey missed the game against Southampton but came off the bench at Wolves and will be pushing to start.
Yves Bissouma and Solly March came in for Adam Webster and Neal Maupay at Molineux and will come into the reckoning.
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is a doubt to play again this season because of a knee injury and Jadon Sancho has been ruled out for the remaining two games with tonsillitis.
Edinson Cavani and Fred made their returns from the bench in the win against Brentford and will be looking to feature.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Cucurella; March, Bissouma, Caicedo, Trossard; Gross, Mac Allister; Welbeck

Manchester United possible starting lineup: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Telles; Fred, McTominay; Elanga, Mata, Fernandes; Ronaldo

Brighton vs Manchester United prediction

Brighton can relax and play with the handbrake off knowing they are safe from the threat of a relgation run-in.
They must look to build on last Saturday's impressive win at Wolves as they bid to correct a poor run of results this season in front of their own supporters, ahead of a busy summer pinning down their star players to new contract talks.
Manchester United are also dangerous given that they must look to end a season to forget on a high.
They have fallen way short in so many aspects but players will be keen to impress new manager Erik ten Hag.
The draw looks a big player here in a difficult fixture to pin down.
READ MORE: Six things you might not know about Manchester United target Christopher Nkunku

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