Preview: Manchester United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

Manchester United will be looking to respond to their disappointing FA Cup exit prior to the international break when they host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.

The Red Devils lost 3-1 to Leicester City in the quarter-finals, but they sit second in the league heading into this weekend's fixtures.

Brighton, meanwhile, are six points above the relegation zone after beating fellow strugglers Newcastle United 3-0 in their most recent outing.

Match preview

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United have had a fortnight to stew on their loss at the King Power Stadium, which leaves them effectively fighting for silverware on just one front.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men take on Granada in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final next week and that tie must now take priority.

The Red Devils have too much work to do in the league if they are to chase down leaders Manchester City, who are 15 points better off after playing a game more.

That is despite United winning back-to-back matches in the league, against City and West Ham United, and going nine without defeat in the competition.

Solskjaer will have to be happy with the tag of 'best of the rest' given the Citizens' incredible form over the past five months.

United have a good chance to tighten their hold on second place this weekend as their FA Cup conquerors Leicester, the side directly below them, face Man City on Saturday.

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If Brighton are to pull off an upset at Old Trafford then they will have to find a way through United's solid defence, which has now gone four league games without conceding.

The Seagulls will be in confident mood, though, having followed up a 2-1 win at Southampton with a 3-0 victory at home to Newcastle in their last two games.

Graham Potter's men were in serious relegation trouble after losing three in a row prior to this winning run, but they have a six-point buffer on the dropzone and should be okay.

Two more wins from their remaining nine matches could be enough to seal a place in the Premier League for another year, though one of those wins is unlikely to come this weekend.

Albion have lost their last five meetings with United in all competitions and have failed to win at Old Trafford in 12 attempts, losing the last six of those.

Team News

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The biggest selection call for Solskjaer to make this weekend is in goal, where David de Gea is back in contention following the recent birth of his child.

Dean Henderson has filled in for United's last six games, but the England international may well have to make way here.

Anthony Martial suffered an injury on international duty, but knocks sustained by Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood do not appear to be serious enough to keep them out.

Defender Victor Lindelof is United's other fitness concern, so Eric Bailly could partner Harry Maguire in the heart of defence.

As for Brighton, Aaron Connolly was injured while away with the Republic of Ireland, which will likely see him miss out at Old Trafford.

Former Man United forward Danny Welbeck has scored and assisted in his last two outings and is expected to partner Neal Maupay in attack.

Florin Andone, Solly March, Adam Webster and Tariq Lamptey are all definitely out.

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; Pogba, Fred; James, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; White, Dunk, Burn; Gross, Bissouma, Lallana, Moder; Trossard; Maupay, Welbeck

We say: Manchester United 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion

Solskjaer will be targeting a return to winning ways to kickstart an important month, with the priority being progression in the Europa League.

Brighton have won back-to-back league games and are close to securing safety, but we cannot see past a routine home victory on Sunday.

Video prediction

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