Erik ten Hag has dressing room issues to sort out at Manchester United, and positive on-field results can go a long way towards shoring up discord as the Red Devils welcome Brighton at Old Trafford.
It will be a supremely difficult challenge, as the Seagulls have been exceptional this season, downing Newcastle last time out to recover from their only blip to this point, a road loss to West Ham.
Such a scalp would prove energising for Ten Hag, who has been criticised for his inability to handle the Jadon Sancho feud in-house, boiling over into the public. It is far from the only off-field problem within the Man United squad, as Antony steps away from the team to deal with legal troubles.
The arrival of Sofyan Amrabat will be a boost, but there are still many issues for the boss to sort out, which appear to be boiling over into on-field performances. Defeats to Arsenal and Tottenham so far this year serve as a warning for the Red Devils as they hope to mount a battle for a Champions League place this season.
Man United vs. Brighton match facts
Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
Kickoff Time: 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST / 10 p.m. AEST
Location: Old Trafford (Manchester, England)
Official: Jarred Gillett
Last meeting: Brighton 1-0 Man United (May 4, 2023 | Premier League)
Man United vs. Brighton prediction, odds
Moneyline lean: Brighton (+200)
Handicap lean: Brighton +0.5 (-145)
Score prediction: Man United 1-2 Brighton
Manchester United have too many warning bells ringing at this point not to back a very quality Brighton side that is as well-coached as anyone in the English top flight and provides very solid value.
Teams with lots of international participants can end up fatigued upon the return from the international break, and Man United have just that as multiple players arrive from both domestic and overseas duty. Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho, both of whom could play a big role in this match, are coming back from South America, including Garnacho who just days ago saw time in the ridiculous La Paz elevation.
Add in that Lisandro Martinez picked up an injury, while Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, and Scott McTominay all played 180 minutes over the week, and this team could be shorthanded.
Man Utd
win
Draw
Brighton
win
Both teams
to score Y / N
Over / Under
3.5 goals
MUN
-0.5
BRI
+0.5
BetMGM
(USA)
+110
+290
+200
-225 / +160
+110 / -150
+100
-145
Sports
Interaction
(Canada)
+113
+291
+183
-263 / +160
+105 / -145
+109
-145
Unibet
(Australia)
2.12
3.90
3.20
1.45 / 2.65
2.20 / 1.68
—
—
Dafabet
(India)
2.20
4.00
3.10
1.44 / 2.85
2.12 / 1.75
2.13
1.76
Man United vs. Brighton best bet
Pick: Brighton over 1.5 goals
Odds: +105 (BetMGM)
Manchester United have defensive issues to sort out, and Brighton are well equipped to capitalise.
First of all, the visitors have put up not only the most goals in the league, but the highest expected goals (xG) as well, indicating they have been good enough for that high return. While their high risk/high reward style does open themselves up at the back, United have not been good enough finishing quality chances in front of goal this year, owning the second-worst goals to xG differential in the league (-3.41).
United, meanwhile, have conceded over 1.9 xG in three of their four Premier League matches to date, a worrying sign that will no doubt be exploited by rising managerial star Roberto De Zerbi.
Man United vs. Brighton prop bet
Pick: Bruno Fernandes to score or assist a goal
Odds: +105 (FanDuel)
It’s hard to find a player who enjoyed a better international break than Bruno Fernandes, who bagged two goals and three assists over his two European qualifiers with Portugal. Sure, it came against Slovakia and Luxembourg, but form is form and he’ll be buzzing while back in the Man United squad.
Brighton are open and exploitable if a team takes its chances, and Fernandes should profit from that on at least a few occasions. He already leads the Premier League in expected assists (xA) this season with 2.39 xA, having done so in each of the last two full campaigns, and has collected 2.21 xG as well.
Man United vs Brighton live stream, TV channel
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TV channel
Streaming
USA
—
Peacock
Canada
—
Fubo
UK
—
—
Australia
—
Optus Sport
New Zealand
—
Sky Sport NOW
India
—
Hotstar VIP, JioTV
Hong Kong
Now Premier League (620), Now Premier League 1 (621)
Now E, Now Player
Malaysia
Astro SuperSport 3
Astro Go, sooka
Singapore
—
StarHub TV+
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