Erik ten Hag takes his Man Utd team to the coast of Brighton in the final match of what has been a pretty underwhelming season, to say the least.
But the Seagulls have had our number in recent seasons so this is definitely going to be a difficult last match.
Can we do it?
Predicted Lineup
Erik ten Hag says that Rapha Varane and Victor Lindelof are back training on the grass but that we’ll have to wait and see whether they will be truly available for Brighton.
We also saw the return of Lisandro Martinez late-on in the win over Newcastle. The Butcher has missed almost the entire the season with several injuries. I’m sure the manager would be a little more cautious when bringing him back into the side.
Whether all three of these defenders will be able to play is the question.
This is what I’d like to see.
If Martinez, Varane and Lindelof can all play for some time at least, I would actually have two teams for this game.
For the first half, I would start the same team that began the game on Wednesday night with only Rasmus Hojlund coming in for Scott McTominay.
In the second, that’s when I want to see changes.
I would bring all three of Varane, Martinez and Lindelof on with the Swede having to do a job at left-back for a period with AWB, Jonny Evans and Casemiro coming off.
In midfield, Sofyan Amrabat and Kobbie Mainoo off for Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay with Bruno Fernandes staying on. Maybe he could come off at some point for a youngster.
Marcus Rashford and Antony to then come on for Alejandro Garnacho and Amad and if Anthony Martial is also available, bring him on for Rasmus Hojlund.
I feel like this would ensure that as many players of ours could get game time ahead of the final. The regulars keep their momentum and match sharpness while those that are making their way back get some much needed minutes in the tank.
This match against Brighton is more of a training game IMO. Of course I want to win it but it’s not something that I care about massively because we won’t get into the Europa League through the league thanks to Chelsea being 3 points and 20 goals ahead in terms of GD.
We could miss out on Europe altogether if we end up in 8th which looks highly likely.
Our Approach
I’m not too fussed with how United go about their business. Of course I don’t want us to get destroyed or anything and would like to see us play some good football, but I’m taking this more as a training game ahead of the final.
I want those who’ve been playing recently to keep their rhythm and momentum while those that need game time to gather some of their own rhythm before heading to Wembley.
It’s actually really nice to have some players coming back giving us the chance to rotate. This isn’t something we’ve had all season.
Brighton are also a good test not only because they’re a good team, but they play in a similar fashion to that of City which could give us a good test when it comes to facing our neighbors.
United Form
I feel like form goes out the window for this match mainly because we have none and I doubt that it’s going to make a huge difference to where we finish this season.
The win over Newcastle was only our second in nine league games which is why we find ourselves in the precarious position of 8th and potentially missing out on Europe.
The issue for United is that there is a real chance that they could end with their lowest-ever Premier League finish of 8th (previous lowest was 7th in 13/14) while if we lose, 57 points would be our new record-lowest points total in PL history.
Yeah, we need to win and avoid such unwanted records.
Brighton
Big news coming out of Brighton as it was announced yesterday afternoon that boss Roberto De Zerbi will LEAVE the club after tomorrow’s match.
The decision came as a bit of a surprise (at least to me anyways) as the Italian took over from Graham Potter in September 2022 so he hasn’t even been at the club for two years and he's decided to part ways.
There have been rumors that De Zerbi’s services are wanted by other clubs across Europe not least Man Utd. Perhaps that’s a reason as to why the Italian is saying goodbye?
This will then give the home side even more incentive to make this a memorable sendoff for their Italian boss.
The Seagulls themselves aren’t in the best of form as they’ve won one of their last five and four of 18 played this year in the PL. Since the turn of the year, De Zerbi’s side have drawn six and lost eight with a couple of 4–0 thrashings in there as well.
They find themselves just in the top 10 as their goal difference is what’s keeping them above Bournemouth in 11th.
Last season, the Seagulls finished 6th (their highest-ever finish) and played in Europe for the first time in their history after an incredible campaign.
They are 14 points and four spots behind last season’s incredible achievement.
I think we can say that there is a lot of disappointment regarding this season from Brighton as we all know what a good side they are and what a good coach Roberto De Zerbi is. Several would’ve expected better from them.
Brighton are one position and 3 points behind us in the home table, however, that could change should they beat United. They’ve won eight, drawn six and lost four with this final home match remaining.
Recent Meetings
The Seagulls have been dominant over United in recent times as they’ve won all of the last four matches including Erik ten Hag’s first official game in charge of the club.
Brighton 4–0 Utd
Utd 1–2 Brighton
Brighton 1–0 Utd
Utd 1–3 Brighton
De Zerbi’s side will be looking to do a second straight double over United as well. That could be quite an achievement.
The last time United actually beat the Seagulls at the AMEX was when Bruno Fernandes scored that penalty, after the game had ended.
It finished 2–3 thanks to that late spot kick after Neal Maupay gave away a handball 😭 (IYKYK 😉).
Prediction
I wouldn’t mind another entertaining game like that to be honest. It would be a nice way to end a terrible season and could possibly give us extra confidence heading to Wembley.
My actual prediction is 2–2 although I wouldn’t be surprised if Brighton were to win.
If this were to happen though, that would mean we would finish with our joint worst-ever PL points tally of 58. We could also remain 8th depending on what Newcastle do, and that would mean our lowest-ever finish in the Premier League.
A win would be great just to avoid that if anything else.
Background image: Kobbie Mainoo | Image credit: Getty Images via Eurosport