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Begin their quest for a third FA Cup final in four seasons, without a manager Manchester United host Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday for their third round tie.
The Red Devils opened the post-Ruben Amorim era with a 2-2 Premier League draw at Burnley in midweek, while Brighton followed up with an impressive 1-1 draw at Manchester City.
As the club’s hierarchy evaluate potential long-term replacements, another former Manchester United player, Darren Fletcher, took temporary charge for Wednesday’s four-goal draw at Turf Moor.
Fletcher’s first match as keeper saw a revitalized Benjamin Sesko score his first Premier League double, but defensive errors, including an own goal from Ayden Heaven and a long-range strike from Jaidon Anthony, denied United all three points.
Despite prolonged struggles in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, United can boast a formidable record at this stage of the competition and have not exited the FA Cup in the third round since the 2013-14 season.
Brighton arrive at Old Trafford intent on writing another chapter in their steady rise in English football, having transformed themselves from Championship contenders to regular challengers for European qualification.
The Seagulls reached the FA Cup final in 1983, losing to United in a replay, and have since developed a strong record in the third round, progressing after 14 of their last 16 games at that stage.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side have reached the latter stages in recent seasons, including a semi-final appearance in 2022-23 and a quarter-final last season, although both campaigns ended in defeats on penalties.
Team news for Manchester United vs Brighton
Manchester United were boosted by the midweek returns of Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, who both played against Burnley after injury layoffs.
Harry Maguire was also back among the substitutes, leaving Matthijs de Ligt as the only confirmed injury absentee, although Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui remain unavailable due to African Cup of Nations commitments.
Mainoo is pushing to start in midfield, while Matheus Cunha will aim to score in a fifth consecutive FA Cup appearance, a feat achieved by only four Premier League players in the modern era.
For Brighton, Joel Veltman and Charalampos Kostoulas should be available after missing Manchester City’s draw with minor knocks, although Yankuba Minteh remains a doubt.
Mats Wieffer, Solly March, Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas are all absent, while Carlos Baleba is unavailable due to Cameroon’s continued involvement in the AFCON.
Hurzeler has confirmed his intention to rotate his squad, potentially opening the door for Jason Steele, James Milner and former United striker Danny Welbeck.
Expected line-ups for Manchester United vs Brighton
Manchester United: Inside; Dalot, Maguire, Yoro, Shaw; Mainoo, Ugarte; Cunha, Fernandes, Dorgu; Sesco
Brighton: Steel ; Veltman, Dunk, Boscagli, De Cuyper; Milner, Gross; Mitoma, Gomez, Watson; Welbeck
How to watch Manchester United vs Brighton: TV channel, live stream online
Kick-off on Sunday will be at 4:30 p.m. GMT (11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT). Live TV coverage in the UK is provided on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports Ultimate.
TNT Sports costs £29.99 per month via discovery+which includes Eurosport and entertainment and is available on a huge range of devices including smart TVs and games consoles.
Live online streaming is available on a wide range of devices via BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the Discovery+ app.
Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion match statistics
- Manchester United have won 13 FA Cup titles, the second most in the competition’s history
- United have not exited the FA Cup in the third round since the 2013-14 season
- Brighton have progressed in 14 of their last 16 FA Cup third round matches
- Brighton have been knocked out of the FA Cup six times by Man United
- United are unbeaten in their last five FA Cup meetings with Brighton
- Brighton have recorded just one away win since October
Prediction
Manchester United
1
–
1
Brighton
With the two teams expected to alternate and United still adjusting to life under caretaker management, a tight and disrupted contest appears likely at Old Trafford.
Brighton will sense an opportunity to exploit the uncertainty, but United’s experience in high-pressure cup matches and recent shootout successes give them the advantage to progress into extra time or beyond.
Bet here
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