If the fixture between Manchester United and Brighton was scheduled to take place a month ago, many would have cited mixed results and some would have even given three points to Brighton. But the mood around Old Trafford has been changing and the credit could be given to Ralf Rangnick and his high-pressing style of football. While United are yet to fully adapt to his system, we believe a difference is visible and will be clear in the coming months. 

So can the Red Devils lift the spirits of those at Old Trafford or will Graham Potter ruin things? Well, let’s put together a few points and try to analyse the same.

Matchday 18 of 38

The clash between Manchester United and Brighton is set to kickstart matchday 18 of 38. With every weekend turning out to produce some high-octane action, we believe this game will also follow suit and shine a light on some really good football. While Graham Potter has done a good job at Brighton, the last few weeks have been puzzling and confusion has loomed around the corner. 

So stepping into the ring against a developing team would be the last thing that they could have asked for. However, unpredictable circumstances make the league real and this clash will certainly provide us with all that we need. 

Date and Venue 

Manchester United and Brighton are set to play on the 18th of December 2021 at Old Trafford in what could be an important game for both teams.

Manchester United Vs Brighton: Team Analysis

Is the high-press style of football taking shape?

Players take time to get used to a particular system, especially when they were used to a whole different routine. Ralf Rangnick, who is also known as the Godfather of Gegenpressing is slowly implementing his seeds at Old Trafford and every day and every fixture needs to be considered a learning process until a full-fledged squad gets used to his tricks. While the process is known to take time, the Premier League will not be offering that luxury with the December schedule being a jam-packed one. 

As a result, United don’t have time by their side and will need to cope up with whatever Graham Potter pushes their way. The famous English footballer, who is known to play a possession-based game, will find things to be interesting when Rangnick’s high demand for pressing begins to take shape during the 90-minute play.

Improvements in defence?

United cannot let this fixture go in vain and would require genuine improvements in defence if they were to get a win against a Graham Potter side, who is specialised in earning draws. The crowd at Old Trafford will be rallying behind United with the hope that they can earn all three points and a draw would leave everyone disappointed. Due to that, United cannot take this lightly and will need to show improvements in defence.

While they aren’t one of those teams that lack quality, they certainly are one that cannot prevent themselves from conceding goals. With Neal Maupay firing on all cylinders, United and its defence will have to prevent threats and continue maintaining their clean sheet from the game against Crystal Palace. 

Evaluating Brighton’s Chances

As we mentioned before, the Premier League is not short of surprises. Brighton could very well see a draw, although everyone would tip Manchester to come out on top. However, Graham Potter is not someone whose credibility or scope should be discarded because he can always take things to the opposition. Brighton’s game against Liverpool and other dominant teams serve as an example of what they can produce if they can get things going.

But their recent dip in form is also considered a huge blow. Neal Maupay seems to be the only player eager to get on the scoresheet and help the team get the points they deserve. So if the Premier League had to produce another surprise, it would be this game.

Manchester United Vs Brighton: Head-to-Head

Manchester United and Brighton don’t have a lot of games between them. Both clubs have only played out 8 Premier League games and the Manchester club turned out to be dominant.

The head-to-head record between Manchester United and Brighton will certainly point towards one particular figure, i.e. Brighton’s away record against the club. They have never won a single game at Old Trafford and out of the 8 games that both sides have played none have ended as draws.

So if you are looking towards placing bets on this game or consider football betting for future games, BritainBet is what you need. 

Manchester United Vs Brighton: Recent Meetings

• Manchester United Vs Brighton - 2-1 (4th April 2021)

Brighton travelled to Old Trafford towards the end of the previous campaign and had to watch both Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood score two late goals to equalise the score as well as gain the lead. While Brighton got on the scoresheet first with Danny Welbeck’s goal, United eventually came back in the second half to win the game. 

• Brighton Vs Manchester United - 2-3 (26th Sep 2020)

Manchester United’s last visit to the Amex Stadium was one that Brighton fans would not want to recall. While they believed they were able to hold the game down to a draw, an injury-time penalty by Bruno Fernandes saw United take the lead in what was known as a hard-fought victory.

• Brighton Vs Manchester United - 0-3 (1st July 2020)

Manchester United have been reigning havoc on Brighton and did so once again when they travelled to the Amex Stadium on the 1st of July 2020. A clean three-nil victory where Mason Greenwood and two goals from Bruno Fernandes helped United complete the game in style. 

• Manchester United Vs Brighton - 3-1 (10th Nov 2019)

As the record stats, Brighton has rarely found their footing at Old Trafford and their visit in 2019 was another example of the same. United managed to secure another comfortable victory and Brighton was forced to suffer the same old consequences.