Brighton vs Manchester United Preview
- Draw or Brighton to win
- Welbeck to score
Brighton’s Promising Start Under Fabian Hürzeler
Brighton made a statement in their first match of the season under new head coach Fabian Hürzeler, securing a commanding 3-0 victory over Everton.
This win allowed them to sit atop the Premier League table, marking a perfect beginning to the German’s tenure.
Hürzeler, aged just 31, described the outcome as a “perfect result,” and the club’s management is evidently backing him, with the acquisition of Georginio Rutter from Leeds for £40 million on Monday.
This addition further strengthens an already talented squad, setting the stage for what could be a promising season for the Seagulls.
Following in Roberto De Zerbi’s Footsteps
Hürzeler will be keen to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Roberto De Zerbi, who led Brighton to two consecutive three-goal wins at the start of the previous Premier League campaign.
However, to achieve that, Brighton will need to significantly improve their form at the Amex Stadium, where they struggled toward the end of last season.
The Seagulls lost four of their final five Premier League games at home (W1), failing to score in each of those defeats. Notably, one of those losses was against their upcoming opponents, Manchester United, on the final day of the season.
Head-to-Head: Brighton vs Manchester United
Historically, Brighton has had some success against Manchester United, becoming just the third side in Premier League history to win four consecutive head-to-head encounters against the Red Devils.
However, three of those victories were under the management of Erik ten Hag, who now leads Manchester United.
Ten Hag alleviated some of the pressure on himself by securing a 1-0 win against Fulham on the opening day of the current season, a result he believes provides a solid foundation for his team to build on.
Manchester United’s Away Day Woes
One of the challenges for Ten Hag will be to secure his first win in an opening away league game of the season, a feat he has failed to achieve in his first two campaigns at Manchester United (L2), with both defeats coming without his team scoring.
This issue isn’t just a recent phenomenon; the Red Devils have only won their opening away match in the Premier League once in their last six attempts (D2, L3), although that solitary victory did come against Brighton in the 2020/21 season.
Players to Watch
Danny Welbeck (Brighton): A product of Manchester United’s academy, Danny Welbeck has remarkably scored in each of the last 15 Premier League seasons.
He opened his account on the first day of the current season and will be eager to find the net against his former club, something he has done five times in the past.
Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United): Stepping into the spotlight at Old Trafford, Joshua Zirkzee followed in the footsteps of legendary Dutch strikers like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie by scoring a decisive goal against Fulham on his Manchester United debut.
All eyes will be on him as he looks to continue his strong start to life in the Premier League.
Conclusion
This match between Brighton and Manchester United promises to be an intriguing encounter. With Brighton looking to build on their impressive start and Manchester United aiming to overcome their away day struggles, fans can expect a fiercely competitive game.
The outcome could have significant implications for both teams as they seek to establish their credentials early in the season.
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Brighton v Man Utd, 2024/25 | Premier League