Erik ten Hag faces a tricky first competitive match as Manchester United manager when Brighton visit Old Trafford exactly three months after the Seagulls embarrassed the Red Devils with a 4-0 win at the Amex Stadium.
As a benchmark for United’s initial progress since Ten Hag’s arrival from Ajax in July, a meeting with opponents who thrashed them towards the end of a dismal 2021/22 campaign could prove instructive.
Brighton finished the season on a five-match unbeaten run that included three wins, securing their highest ever final position of ninth in the top flight. However, they have since lost key men Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella to Tottenham and Chelsea respectively.
The Sporting News is following the match live and providing live score updates and commentary from Old Trafford.
MORE: Teams in Premier League 2022/23: List of clubs, fixtures, key dates
Manchester United vs. Brighton live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Manchester United | — | — | — |
| Brighton | — | — | — |
Goals:
Manchester United vs. Brighton live updates and highlights
1 hour 40 mins to KO: Ronaldo played and was booked when Brighton unceremoniously turned over a dishevelled United towards the end of last season. Marc Cucurella scored and was the standout player in that 4-0 win at the Amex Stadium but has, of course, now joined Chelsea in a mega-money move. Also, Yves Bissouma joined Tottenham. How Graham Potter reconfigures his impressive team around the loss of those two key players might go a long way to defining the Seagulls’ season.
2 hours to KO: Whether he’s in the matchday squad or not, Cristiano Ronaldo will loom large on Old Trafford on Sunday. The fact that Anthony Martial has a hamstring injury presents an intriguing scenario that could involve Ronaldo starting, unless he’s left out of the squad for leaving a pre-season match early. In his pre-match comments, Ten Hag was keen to point of Ronaldo was one of several players reprimanded. A much-anticipated team sheet is an hour away.
🗣️ ‘I’m a little bit disappointed in him. Would it be too much to ask for him to clear things up?’
Gary Neville & Jamie Carragher on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Man United. pic.twitter.com/DZzLo9kdDK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 5, 2022
Manchester United vs. Brighton predicted lineups
Full-back Luke Shaw missed both of United’s friendlies over the final weekend of pre-season, so new signing Tyrell Malacia is almost certain to deputise for the injured England defender.
Attacker Jadon Sancho also missed those games through illness but has been a mainstay for Ten Hag and can be expected to start. Winger Facundo Pellistri is out and 2021/22 top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo is engaged in a much-publicised stand-off with the club as he targets a move to a Champions League club.
Man United predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): De Gea (GK) — Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia — McTominay, Fred — Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga — Rashford
Man United subs (9): Heaton (GK), Bailly, Varane, Lindelof, Diallo, Telles, Van de Beek, Elanga, Ronaldo
Poland midfielder Jakub Moder remains a long-term absentee for Brighton and playmaker Alexis Mac Allister is a slight doubt after suffering a groin problem during their 5-1 win over Espanyol in their final pre-season match.
Last season’s player of the season for the Seagulls, Marc Cucurella, completed his transfer to Chelsea. We’ll see if Moises Caicedo, who replaced him in the Espanyol match, will again do so at Old Trafford.
Brighton predicted lineup (4-5-1): Sanchez (GK) — Veltman, Dunk, Webster, March — Gross, Mac Allister, Mwepu, Caicedo, Trossard — Welbeck
Brighton subs (9): Steele (GK), Duffy, Lamptey, Alzate, Lallana, Mitoma, Maupay, Undav, Enciso
MORE: Brighton Premier League fixtures with dates, times & predictions
What time is Manchester United vs. Brighton?
Manchester United host Brighton at Old Trafford in Manchester, UK. It kicks off at 2 p.m. BST on Sunday, August 7.
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| August 7 | Sun, Aug 7 | Sun, Aug 7 | Sun, Aug 7 | Sun, Aug 7 |
| Time | 14:00 BST | 09:00 ET | 09:00 ET | 23:00 AEST |
Manchester United vs. Brighton TV channel, live stream
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| TV channel | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD |
— | — | — |
| Streaming | Sky Go / Now TV | Peacock | fuboTV Canada | Optus Sport |
UK: Man United vs. Brighton will be televised and streamed by Sky Sports in the UK.
USA: The match in the USA will be exclusively available on NBC streaming platform Peacock.
Canada: Every Premier League game streams live and on demand exclusively via fuboTV Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream the Premier League live and on demand on Optus Sport.
