Brighton vs Manchester United: preview, team news, probable line-ups: How will Red Devils react after Europa League exit?

FA CUP Brighton vs Manchester United: preview, team news, probable line-ups: How will Red Devils react after Europa League exit?

Kiplagat Sang 09:35 - 23.04.2023

Fans could be treated to a Manchester Derby on June 3 should United join City as this season’s finalists.

Manchester City have already secured their place in the FA Cup final after beating Sheffield United on Saturday, now it is Brighton and Manchester United’s chance to fight for the remaining slot.

After a humiliating Europa League exit at the hands of Sevilla, United are back in action as they chase another trophy.

The Red Devils – who saw off Everton, Reading, West Ham United, and Fulham in the previous stages of the FA Cup – face Brighton, who last won back-to-back matches over a month ago.

The 3-0 defeat against Sevilla in the second leg, ended United’s four-game unbeaten run.

Brighton and United have already met this season, with the Seagulls emerging winners 2-1 at Old Trafford in August.

Team News

Brighton have new injury worries with Joel Veltman (thigh) and Evan Ferguson (ankle), who picked up thigh and ankle injuries against Chelsea, unavailable.

Tariq Lamptey (knee), Adam Lallana (hamstring), and Jeremy Sarmiento (ankle) are the other players who will not be available for the Seagulls in this crucial Wembley showdown.

Erik ten Hag is going to miss Harry Maguire, who will not be available due to suspension after he was booked against Fulham in the quarter-finals.

The Dutchman is sweating over the fitness of both Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial.

Tom Heaton (ankle), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Raphael Varane (ankle), Phil Jones (knee), Donny van de Beek (knee), and Alejandro Garnacho (ankle) are all not going to be available too.

What are the stats saying?

United have won all five FA Cup ties against Brighton, most recently in the 2017/18 quarter-final. But the Seagulls have defeated the Red Devils in their last two meetings, as many as they had in their previous 17 (D2 L12).

Brighton have never won a competitive match at Wembley Stadium, drawing once and losing four of their five visits. This run started against Manchester United in the 1983 FA Cup final, drawing 2-2 and then losing 4-0 in a replay.

All four of the Red Devils’ FA Cup games this season have been 3-1 wins. Their last 11 goals in the competition have all come in the second half of games. The last team to reach the FA Cup final while scoring at least three goals in every game were Manchester City in 1925/26.

Kaoru Mitoma has either scored (2) or assisted (2) a goal in all four of his FA Cup games for Brighton. The last player to be involved in a goal in each round of the competition, from the third round to the semi-final was Romelu Lukaku in 2017/18.

Predicted line-ups:

Brighton: Sanchez, Gross, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan, Caicedo, Mac Allister, March, Enciso, Mitoma, Welbeck.

Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford, Weghorst.