Sussex

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Less than two weeks to go now before the transfer window closes and still no clarity over the short-term future of striker Evan Ferguson.

The Republic of Ireland star is currently sidelined with an ankle injury and it is not entirely clear whether he will be fit when the window closes on 3 February.

Brighton are open minded about letting Ferguson move on loan. They can see the benefits of the 20-year-old playing regularly – although it would have to be regularly.

However, they are also mindful Danny Welbeck's injury record is patchy and Joao Pedro has also missed matches this season. The last thing Brighton want is to get deeper into the season and discover they are short in the forward department, while Ferguson is scoring goals elsewhere.

Brighton also have decisions to make over Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman, who are both out of contract at the end of the season. However, the club do have an option to extend on Veltman's deal, which they still have to decide whether to activate. And, while Lamptey is free to talk to other clubs, Brighton could yet offer him an extension.

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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When Brighton and Roberto de Zerbi underwent their acrimonious departure, Ruben Amorim was a potential replacement some Albion supporters looked wistfully at.

In the summer, there were plenty of similarities between Amorim and eventual De Zerbi successor Fabian Hurzeler. Both were young, upcoming and highly rated. And both had delivered unexpected success in their respective divisions playing 3-4-3.

But to watch Brighton tear Manchester United apart at Old Trafford on Sunday was to realise there is one significant difference.

Amorim remains wedded to 3-4-3, even though the world and his wife can see it is the least suitable formation for the United squad he has inherited.

In contrast, Hurzeler is willing to adapt and change. He is not devoted to a certain philosophy which he sticks blindly to at all costs.

Rather than enforce 3-4-3 on Brighton, Hurzeler has tended to choose formations based on winning a specific game - usually De Zerbi's successful 4-2-3-1.

Against United, Kaoru Mitoma and Yankubu Minteh were pushed high to take advantage of the inevitable gaping holes left in wide forward positions by United playing wing backs.

Mitoma set up Minteh for the first Albion goal. Minteh set up Mitoma for the second. It was another tactical masterclass from Hurzeler.

He has adapted in other ways this season too. The high defensive line was ditched after shipping four in 45 minutes at Chelsea. Game management has changed, most notably seeing matches out replacing a desire to get more goals.

Against United, Brighton took the ball into the corner in the closing stages. Not exactly revolutionary stuff for most teams. But certainly for one who have blown two-goal leads in the final five minutes twice this season by pushing to score again rather than settling for what they had.

Hurzeler's willingness to learn and change has the potential to take Brighton a long way. If Amorim wants to end United's woes, he could do a lot worse than take a lesson from his younger German counterpart.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Celtic defender Caitlin Hayes is set to join Brighton in the Women's Super League this month.

The 29-year-old is due for a medical in Brighton in the coming days having been in advanced discussions over the weekend.

The Republic of Ireland international attracted interest from several clubs and held talks with Everton but Brighton fought off competition.

Hayes agreed a new three-year deal with Celtic in May 2023 so Brighton will pay a fee to bring her to the club.

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Man Utd fans:

Su: Brighton were full of purpose from minute one, United were not. Talking about the Onana mistake will simply cover the multitude of problems at Old Trafford. Brighton played like a hot knife through butter. This game shone a light on the fact our problems haven't gone anywhere.

Phil: I don't think the players are intelligent enough to play the system Amorim wants. We can't afford to buy players who are familiar with his system. Something has to give. Either new players, new system or - dare I say - new manager. I realise he needs more time with the players on the training ground, but I also don't think they're quick enough or fit enough. Every team we play against know the weaknesses, play through the wing-backs and attack the back three. Whatever happened to two wingers and a centre-forward? Call me old-fashioned but even in these days of possession football, you need to have possession in the final third, not in the defensive third.

Dale: Ruben has to turn his attention to damage limitation now. Just get us towards the top half of the table and focus on building the team around players like Diallo, Mazraoui and Martinez. No point spending big in January unless you can get someone who would genuinely change the whole dynamic. Better off taking the time with the players he has got to really instil his plan! The way I see it, it should now be pressure off and focus on the cups for his trophies.

Brighton fans:

Matty: Old Trafford is now our training ground. Superb second half and it is so enjoyable to see the system of taking our time, winding up the opposition then turning it on full blast in an instant. Consistency is everything now.

Joe: Some awful defending early on in a typically average scrappy first half, but a confident and deserved victory on the road. Good use of substitutes displayed our growing strength and depth.

Tim: A great result following a couple of months of mediocrity. To beat Manchester United at Old Trafford 3-1 again shows how far we have come. No need to get carried away because United are poor at the moment, but nonetheless an important win and a great week for us.

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says he now wants "consistency in results" from his team after they secured their third win in a row with a 3-1 win at Manchester United on Sunday.

The result means it is now seven games unbeaten in all competitions for the Seagulls who will consider themselves back in contention for a European place.

"If you have nine points it is the perfect week so I am happy and proud for the team," Hurzeler said post-match.

"That's a positive thing. You always want to trust the process and follow the process and now it's about getting consistency in the results. The performances in the last games was very consistent which is positive so now it's about consistency in results.

"There was very good phases, especially the first minutes. When we scored we got a little bit passive but then we conceded and were active again.

"Especially in the second half I think there was a good balance between the defence and controlling the game in possession and creating chances. We were always a danger to them so I am pleased with the performance."

Following the 2-1 win at the Amex back in August, Hurzeler has become the first Brighton manager to oversee a league double over United. However, the 31-year-old was keen to play down the achievement.

"I'm not the biggest fan of records or statistics," he added.

"I'm very happy and proud for the staff and the players. I think they worked hard this week and deserved the win. Only three points but it should give us all the good energy and self-confidence to believe in our strengths.

"Tomorrow we have a day off and then we continue with the hard work. "

Listen to more reaction and analysis on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast feed on BBC Sounds