Evening Standard
·17 January 2025
Evening Standard
·17 January 2025
Ruben Amorim’s side attempt to continue recent upturn in form
Manchester United look to kick on from a dramatic midweek as they host Brighton on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim’s side were on the brink of suffering an embarrassing defeat on home soil to Southampton before Amad Diallo stepped up with a late hat-trick to save the day.
That has lifted United up to 12th in the Premier League table and ensured the momentum from recent positive displays against Liverpool and Arsenal has not been lost.
They will need to be much better against Brighton than they were against Southampton, though, with the Seagulls on a six-match unbeaten run and still in the hunt for the European places.
Man United vs Brighton is scheduled for a 2pm GMT kick-off time on Sunday January 19, 2025.
Old Trafford in Manchester will host.
TV channel and live stream: The game will not be shown live in the UK, with the match taking place on Sunday due to both teams playing on Thursday.
Free highlights: Supporters will be able to watch highlights for free when Match of the Day 2 airs at 10.30pm GMT on BBC One on Sunday January 19.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Diogo Dalot is available again after suspension and likely to come straight back into the side, allowing Amad Diallo to start in a more advanced role.
Joshua Zirkzee could get the nod up front over Rasmus Hojlund, while the likes of Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof are still out. Marcus Rashford is not expected to be named in the squad.
As for Brighton, Danny Welbeck has come off the bench in the last two matches and will be hoping for greater involvement here against his former club.
Lewis Dunk should come back into the starting lineup, but Igor Julio is out for the season.
Diogo Dalot will return after his sending off against Arsenal
Getty Images
United were incredibly poor for much of the match against Southampton and they will surely be punished if there is a repeat of that here.
Amorim’s side have shown they can sit deep and grind out results away from home against big teams, but they have not yet proved capable of taking the initiative and controlling matches.
Brighton will not come just to defend and their energy could cause a vulnerable United side plenty of problems.
Brighton to win, 2-1.
Man United wins: 21
Draws: 5
Brighton wins: 8
Man United to win: 10/11
Draw: 15/8
Brighton to win: 9/4
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.