Sussex

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United weren't that close to signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton this summer. There was no chance the Seagulls would sell the midfielder for anything like the kind of sum the Old Trafford outfit could afford.

His form dipped anyway for a short time but his poise has returned in recent games as Brighton have put together their unbeaten run, and he was eager to make an impact here.

It didn't happen though.

Baleba seemed spooked when an early mistake almost allowed Matheus Cunha to set up Bryan Mbeumo, and he never got to grips with the rest of the game.

Baleba was dominated in an area of the pitch where United are supposed to be weak. He was forced to bring countryman Mbeumo down after being caught out of possession and his only threat on the home goal was off target.

A night to forget was brought to an end after less than an hour when he was replaced by James Milner.

Baleba is a better player than he showed but as Old Trafford auditions go, it was not good.

• Listen to Georginio Rutter on BBC Radio Sussex after defeat at Old Trafford

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat at Manchester United: "It is disappointing. We made too many mistakes and like this, you cannot win the game."

On whether he felt like something was in the game at 3-2: "I felt it all the time that there was something. We are consistently there. We worked hard, we had chances and they had chances but the main thing was after our too easy mistakes, it cost us energy. That energy, we missed it a little bit in the end."

On their own mistakes costing them: "In the end it is about execution and our execution wasn't right today. We made too many easy mistakes and we have to start in training, take every pass and every touch serious. We have to improve."

On responding from 3-0 down: "Like I said, the character was good, the personality was there and the belief was there. We never gave up but the main thing is, we made too easy mistakes. The rest, the plan and how we were structured was good but in the end you have to have the execution and that is something we missed today."

On whether Man Utd were more confident today: "I think they had confidence, we had confidence. We started in a 50/50 game like this. The atmosphere was loud today. The fans were loud today but we made them loud with our mistakes, that is also part of the truth and that is something we have to change."

On what is next for the group: "It is always about reflecting no matter if you win or lose. It is a young group and we have to analyse it, be honest and find the right solutions. That is always our approach and attitude after the games. Now, we have to keep working."

Brighton forward Danny Welbeck spoke to Sky Sports: "We are a bit gutted. There was part of the game early on where we dominated but a few silly mistakes led to goals. We are up against quality so they will punish you. It is learning curve of us. We showed great character at the end but it wasn't good enough.

"We put ourselves in a really difficult position. We have a great group and everyone is going to keep fighting whatever the score is. We got two goals and were closing to maybe getting a third. It didn't happen but it is a good sign we showed character.

"It is the best [Man Utd] side we have faced in a while. They were really organised and structure, they always have incredible players and today they really punished our mistakes. A difficult game but one we can look back and analyse. I do believe we can come here and get the three points.

"I'm feeling really good. Fit and strong, I'm glad to be among the goals and most important thing is trying to get the three points and I will keep on doing my best."

Did you know?

• Welbeck has scored seven goals against United in all competitions, against no opponent has he scored more in his club career. Six of those have come in the Premier League which is the most a former player has netted against the Red Devils in the competition.

• Brighton have had six goals scored by substitutes in the Premier League this season - double the number of any other side. 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas became Brighton's 10th different goalscorer in the competition this season with no side having more (level with Arsenal and Chelsea).

Listen to Hurzeler's post-match interview with BBC Radio Sussex on BBC Sounds

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Ruben Amorim makes two changes to the side that won at Liverpool.

Benjamin Sesko replaces Mason Mount, who drops to the bench. Leny Yoro comes in for Harry Maguire, who is not involved.

Amorim said on Friday Maguire had picked up a knock. He is replaced in the squad by Tyrrell Malacia, who is involved for the first time since being placed in the 'bomb squad' by Amorim at the start of pre-season training.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw, Diallo, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Dalot, Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko.

Subs: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Zirkzee, Dorgu, Malacia, Ugarte, Heaven, Mount, Mainoo.

Danny Welbeck returns to his old club in form after scoring four goals in his last three games.

Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler brings in Maxim De Cuyper for Diego Gomez, the only change from the side that beat Newcastle.

The Seagulls have won on their last three visits to Old Trafford and six out of their last eight games against United.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu, Baleba, Ayari, Minteh, Rutter, De Cuyper, Welbeck.

Subs: Steele, Tzimas, Watson, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, Gomez, Coppola, Oriola.

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Chelsea v Sunderland (15:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Fulham (15:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Man Utd v Brighton (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Brentford v Liverpool (20:00)

Kick-offs 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Sunderland" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Fulham", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

United were lucky with their first goal against Liverpool last week because the game should have been stopped, and we've all seen the issues with the Liverpool backline this season too.

So, while I understand why any win for United against their rivals at Anfield is a massive result, it doesn't mean they have cracked it and turned a corner.

They have just managed back-to-back league wins for the first time since Ruben Amorim took charge last November, but I am not looking at them and thinking they will make it a hat-trick on Saturday.

Brighton striker Danny Welbeck impressed me when he came on the Monday Night Club this week and I am backing his boys here.

The Seagulls are always bold under Fabian Hurzeler and they will be fearless at Old Trafford too. I am backing Welbeck to get one of their goals, and haunt his former club.

It is down to United to prove me wrong, and show everyone they do have the consistency they have been lacking, and that may well be part of Amorim's team talk.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Manchester United seek to continue their winning run against Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday.

United's late victory at bitter rivals Liverpool last weekend was undoubtedly one of the standout moments of Ruben Amorim's tenure as he approaches a year in charge of the club.

The result ended a near decade-long winless run at Anfield and brought about back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time under the Portuguese head coach - a statistic that match winner Harry Maguire labelled "embarrassing" in his post-match interview.

"The last three or four years we'd put in a performance like this and the following game we come down again," continued Maguire last Sunday. "We have to start putting a bit more consistency together."

Whisper it quietly, but United's home form is actually quite consistent. Their only home defeat this term was by a single goal to league leaders Arsenal on the opening weekend and they have since won their past three at Old Trafford, scoring two or more goals on each occasion.

The key to another positive result this weekend could well be forward Bryan Mbeumo, who found the net after just two minutes on Sunday and has a goal and an assist in his past two games.

The Cameroon international clearly enjoys facing Brighton and has been directly involved in six goals in his past four starts against the Seagulls.

Brighton are unbeaten in four top-flight matches - winning two and drawing two - and will be confident of extending that form, such is their recent dominance against United.

The Seagulls have triumphed in six of their past seven league fixtures against the Red Devils and could become the first Premier League club to win four in a row at Old Trafford.

The last team to triumph in more successive league matches at the famous stadium was Manchester City, who put together a run of five some 53 years ago.

However, if Fabian Hurzeler's side are to maintain their grip on this fixture then they will need to sharpen up at the back. They have kept just one clean sheet in their previous 20 Premier League games and that was in a 2-0 win at Wolves in May.

One possible reason for that might lie with the German head coach's inclination to tinker. The 32-year-old has overseen 55 Brighton matches across all competitions but he is yet to name an unchanged side.

Hurzeler must be tempted to stick with last weekend's starting XI after their 2-1 victory over Newcastle and one man who should keep his place is former United academy graduate Danny Welbeck.

The striker, who turns 35 next month, found the net twice last weekend and has four goals from his past three top-flight games. Welbeck has also scored six times against his former employers and those of a blue and white persuasion will hope he can add to that tally this weekend.