Manchester United are looking to make it three Premier League victories in a row when Brighton and Hove Albion visit on Saturday.
Manchester United's squad celebrate with their supporters after beating Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday
Manchester United's squad celebrate with their supporters after beating Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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On paper, Manchester United are preparing for one of their most evenly matched contests of the season so far this weekend.
Brighton have scored one more and conceded one fewer than United, but Ruben Amorim's Reds are one point better off than Fabian Hurzeler's side. After such a confidence boosting victory over Liverpool last time out, United would be forgiven for picking an unchanged side.
However, if Amorim did fancy rotating his XI or potentially even making it stronger, he could consider welcoming Noussair Mazraoui back into the starting line-up. Before the Liverpool game, the Portuguese head coach admitted that he was unsure whether the Moroccan would be fit enough to make the squad.
Thankfully for Mazraoui and United, he was, and arrived with his teammates at Anfield. The 27-year-old was only fit enough to make the bench but another week's training under his belt should have pushed him to a position where he could start this weekend.
If that were to be the case, his inclusion could shore up the left-hand side on Saturday. Following his display at Anfield on Sunday, Amad seems destined to start once again.
The Ivorian produced one of his best performances of the season and was a constant threat throughout. His assist inside the opening two minutes justified exactly why he was included despite a mixed start to the season.
Ultimately, United cannot afford to exclude Amad from Saturday's line-up but they must be wary of the counter. A couple of times, Liverpool sprung a quick break on the Reds and it is something to bear in mind.
If United were to bring Mazraoui back into their starting line-up this weekend, he could help United avoid being caught by the Brighton counter attack.
Noussair Mazraoui pictured with one of Manchester United's in-form players of the season - Matthijs de Ligt
Noussair Mazraoui with Matthijs de Ligt
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Mazraoui could feature in the left wing-back role, providing balance to the system. The Seagulls will look to counter with Yankuba Minteh on the right so having a player like Mazraoui should help to block that threat. Diogo Dalot started on the left at Anfield but struggled in one of his worst performances of the season as he attempted to provide an attacking threat.
Starting the more defensive-minded Mazraoui would offer United options off the bench, with Patrick Dorgu waiting in the wings to provide a more attacking threat if required.
Either way, Amorim will have the luxury of options this weekend.