Brighton have been a bogey team for Manchester United in the Premier League but one of their best players is at risk of missing out this weekend.
Manchester United have only beaten Brighton once in the last seven Premier League meetings between the two sides.
In the only meeting with Ruben Amorim as head coach, United lost 1-3 to Brighton at Old Trafford last season.
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Noussair Mazroui had a nightmare against Brighton when tasked with marking Kaoru Mitoma out wide, but United might not have to deal with the Japanese forward at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
Kaoru Mitoma celebrates for Brighton against Manchester United.
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
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Mitoma has had fierce duels against United, with the Brighton star conceding “complete defeat” against former Red Devils defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
But overall, the 28-year-old has often had joy facing United, winning four of his five matches against the Red Devils. He has scored once and assisted twice in his five matches in this fixture.
Mitoma enjoyed a strong start to the season with the Seagulls, starting in all six of their opening league matches before he suffered an ankle injury.
That same injury could rule Mitoma out of the trip to Old Trafford this Saturday. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said: “Mitoma still has to recover from his hit. So, we try to bring him back as quick as possible. He was close, but we have to be patient with him.”
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Kaoru Mitoma has ‘Messi-like’ technique
In 2023, United were told to sign Mitoma following an incredible run of form at Brighton.
Ineos did end up signing Premier League-proven stars to bolster Amorim’s attacking options, but it was Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha who arrived at Old Trafford.
But there is no denying that Mitoma is a huge talent for Brighton, and the Japan international has even been compared to Lionel Messi by Jamie Carragher.
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As quoted by Daily Mail, Carragher had huge praise for Mitoma’s goal against Chelsea: “The touch is as good as anything you’ll see in the Premier League this season. Wow. And the finish isn’t bad either. It’s Messi-like. And I don’t say that lightly.
“The more I look at it, the more I think it’s one of the best goals I’ve seen.”