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Coming recent off a 3-1 win over Southampton, Manchester United are set to host Brighton & Hove Albion at Outdated Trafford this afternoon.
Whereas the Southampton match might have appeared like a snug win in line with the scoreline, it was something however. At present backside of the Premier League, Southampton led 1-0 in opposition to Man United for a big chunk of the match, just for Ruben Amorim’s males to spark a comeback within the 82nd minute, with Amad Diallo happening to earn a sensational hat-trick.
Sadly, the aim that United conceded got here from a vulnerability that they’ve proven again and again – poor defending from corners. Manuel Ugarte turned the ball into his personal internet at hand the guests a lead that they nearly held till the ultimate whistle.
Beating Ipswich City 2-0 away from dwelling of their earlier outing, Brighton put an finish to an eight-game winless streak within the Premier League. Such poor type is encouraging for United, however there are nonetheless some risks that the guests might pose that Amorim’s crew will need to concentrate on.
Striker Joao Pedro is arguably the guests’ largest risk up entrance. With 5 objectives and 5 assists in 15 league matches this season, the Brazilian has been notably efficient in opposition to sizeable opposition. He scored at hand Brighton a worthwhile draw in opposition to Arsenal in the beginning of January, having supplied two assists within the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa the match prior.
What’s extra, earlier within the season, he discovered the again of the online in his aspect’s 2-1 win over Manchester Metropolis and scored but once more in opposition to Arsenal within the 1-1 draw of their reverse fixture. (Stats by way of Transfermarkt)
Sadly, United aren’t any stranger to Pedro’s medical ending. Of their earlier encounter, the Brazilian scored the winner at hand his aspect a late 2–1 victory on the American Categorical Stadium.
With Harry Maguire expected to return to the beginning 11 and anticipated to play alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez in Amorim’s common again three, he could possibly be key to retaining Pedro and the remainder of the Brighton attackers at bay.
Moreover, Maguire’s and De Ligt’s heights might come in useful as United look to stop their defensive vulnerabilities from set items.
Maguire has gained a powerful 69% of his aerial duels within the Premier League this season, whereas De Ligt has gained a good 65% of his aerial battles.
Whereas he might not have the identical top benefit, Lisandro Martinez has proven a great floor recreation this season, averaging 1.9 tackles, 2.8 clearances, and 4.1 ball recoveries per recreation. He might play a pivotal position in breaking down Brighton’s quick-paced counter-attacks.
Finally, Amorim should go for top and physicality on the again as a way to beat Brighton within the air – a choice he’s anticipated to take.
Within the midfield, Bruno Fernandes might present some much-needed creativity. He has confirmed again and again to be simpler in the course of the park than in Amorim’s entrance three, so this may naturally be the place he ought to play. Paired with Kobbie Mainoo, there ought to be loads of seamless passing revolutionary gameplay which might show to be the muse of United’s build-up play.
In spite of everything, Mainoo has an 87% passing accuracy and 70% accuracy for lengthy balls, whereas Fernandes averages a powerful 2.3 key passes per recreation.
Up entrance, it might seem clever to pick Joshua Zirkzee forward of an ineffective Rasmus Hojlund. Amad Diallo is a pure alternative on the proper, coming off of his sensational efficiency in opposition to Southampton, whereas Alejandro Garnacho is predicted to go with him on the left.
Scoring six objectives and conceding 4 in their last five league matches, Brighton have been regularly bettering their type in latest occasions, which means United will should be at their greatest to return away with a win.
Shedding focus, as was the case in opposition to Southampton, shouldn’t be a mistake that United can afford this time round.
Featured picture by Carl Recine by way of Getty Pictures
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