It's safe to say that it took many by surprise when Brighton sacked manager Melissa Phillips on Friday.

Technical director David Weir said it was "not a decision which has been taken lightly, but we feel it is vital for the progress we want to see".

BBC Sport understands Phillips was informed late on Thursday afternoon and the players were told shortly afterwards.

Brighton have lost seven of their 12 league matches this term, although they beat high-flying Manchester City and held Manchester United to a 2-2 draw earlier in the campaign.

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Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Leigh Sports Village

It is just three days since Brighton sacked Melissa Phillips as manager.

It came as a surprise to many within the game, as well as supporters.

Chelsea’s Emma Hayes said on Friday: “Getting into the top three is tough for anyone, we’ve seen the challenges it has posed for Manchester United and they’ve developed a much more experienced squad than Brighton.

“I don’t know what to say…I was shocked by that decision to be honest.”

I was down at Brighton’s training centre a week ago to speak to Phillips, some of her players and staff and there was no indication of a lack of belief.

But Mikey Harris, who comes across from the men’s academy, will takeover momentarily during a period of unrest, where Brighton need to pick up points if they are to fulfil the club’s expectations.

It’s a tough first game for the highly-rated academy coach but Manchester United are under pressure themselves and have not been performing well.

There's a lot of work to do for Manchester United, the hosts of today's first game, if they are to close the gap at the top of the table.

Last season's runners-up are 10 points behind leaders Chelsea with 10 games left to play, and they're also seven points off third-placed Arsenal, who occupy the final Champions League qualification place.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton, who sacked manager Melissa Phillips earlier this week, are 10th in the league - although they're five points ahead of bottom place.

Image source, Getty Images

It's another Sunday, so it's time for another busy day in the Women's Super League.

We've got five matches coming up, kicking off the day with Manchester United hosting Brighton.

Here are today's fixtures.

• Man Utd v Brighton (12:00)
• West Ham v Arsenal (12:30, watch live on BBC Two)
• Manchester City v Leicester (13:00)
• Liverpool v Tottenham (14:00
• Chelsea v Everton (18:45, listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra)

There's some big news in the line-ups for the 12:30 GMT game between Arsenal and West Ham.

Arsenal and England defender Leah Williamson makes her first start since recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

She came off the bench in their League Cup victory over Reading in January when she made her return.

Full team news from that one to follow.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Leigh Sports Village

Image source, BBC Sport

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has named the same team that beat Aston Villa at home last weekend.

Long-term absentees Evie Rabjohn and Aoife Mannion are still returning to full fitness following injury so are not in the squad,

Man Utd XI: Earps, Riviere, Turner, Le Tissier, Blundell, Zelem, Toone, Naalsund, Garcia, Parris, Geyse.

Subs: Tullis-Joyce, Evans, Aherne, Galton, Guerrero, Ladd, Malard, Williams.

Image source, BBC Sport

Brighton's interim boss Mikey Harris makes two changes to the side who suffered defeat by Chelsea.

Tatiana Pinto drops to the bench, while Pauline Bremer isn't in the squad - presumably due to injury.

England international Katie Robinson and forward Lee Geum-min come into the side having impressed off the bench last Sunday.

Brighton XI: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Pattinson, Bergsvand, Losada, Sarri, Lee, Zigiotti, Terland, Kullberg, Robinson.

Subs: Carabali, Pinto, Symonds, Mengwen, Loeck, Startup, Dent.

Excited for another busy day in the Women's Super League?

We've got five games on the way, beginning at 12:00 GMT when Manchester United host Brighton - who sacked their manager, Melissa Phillips, earlier this week.

United need a strong final 10 games if they're to close the gap between them and the top three - will they be able to avoid dropping any points this afternoon?

Brighton held United to a 2-2 draw earlier this season, and will they be bolstered by a new-manager bounce today? Mikey Harris has moved over from the men's academy to take interim charge.

Let's see how the teams line up for the day's first game before we take a look at what's to come.

Image source, Getty Images