Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United travel to the south coast to take on Brighton on Sunday. The Red Devils defeated Leicester City in their opening match, 2-1, and go into the second week of the season looking far better than they did in preseason.
Brighton lost to Watford in a disappointing 2-0 loss to start the year. Despite making wholesale changes to the team during the summer, manager Chris Hughton couldn’t find the right formula at Vicarage Road. Now, Brighton are looking to get a point and kickstart their season.
Brighton managed just 47 percent possession last weekend. The club was poor throughout the 90-minute fixture managing just six shots with zero on target. Brighton signed 19 new players in the transfer window. Yet, none of the 19 new members of the team make Brighton appear any better on paper than they did last season. The team’s opening result proved Brighton’s transfer strategy of signing quantity over quality didn’t work out.
Manchester United have put the frustrations of the preseason behind them. However, rumours over Paul Pogba’s exit remain. The Frenchman opened the scoring for Manchester United thanks to an early penalty against Leicester. Luke Shaw picked up the Red Devils’ second goal before the team allowed a late consolation strike from Leicester. The despite their win, Manchester United were outshot and out possessed by Leicester.
The two clubs have met just three times in all competitions. All three matches have occurred between 2017 and 2018. Manchester United hold the edge, two wins to one. One of those wins came in last season’s FA Cup. Brighton did win the fixture between the two clubs at the Falmer Stadium last term in the Premier League. Just one goal has settled the teams’ Premier League matches. Fixtures between the two teams have never seen 2.5 or more goals in all competitions.
Mourinho is still dealing with a host of injuries. Marcos Rojo, Jesse Lingard, Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic, Diogo Dalot, and Sergio Romero are all on Manchester United’s injury list. Brighton don’t have the same injury worries as the Red Devils do. Hughton will have the chance to pick his best players when the Red Devils come to town.
Although Manchester United are dealing with a host of personnel issues, Mourinho’s tactics and man management will win the day for the Red Devils. While the club had problems meeting Mourinho’s expectations in the transfer market, he will still lead it to victory on Sunday on the south coast.