After what was a captivating last weekend, the fans at Old Trafford will queue up in numbers and at their loudest as we gear up for Brighton’s visit to M16. It is a game that carries a lot of weight for both sides, as one looks to maintain their five-game winning run while the other looks to prove that the win over the defending champions was no fluke.
It was maybe the sternest test that Ruben Amorim & Co. faced in the ongoing campaign with Liverpool and Anfield Stadium. And to show that mettle and grit to come through with three points shows that the system that many have been murmuring about of late is finally starting to click. This was also the first time that the Premier League heavyweights had a run of two consecutive wins under Ruben Amorim.
These wins on the trot have finally given Ruben Amorim some breathing room. Now he can go into the game against the Seagulls looking for his side to express themselves according to his tactical philosophy. But Brighton are no pushovers either. They have been playing some commendable football of late, as things finally have started getting through under Fabian Hurzeler.
The visitors come into this game after a 2-1 win over Newcastle United last weekend.
Match Info
Kickoff: Saturday 25 October 2025 at
Location: Old Trafford, Manchester
Team News
Lisandro Martinez is very close to making a Manchester United comeback
Lisandro Martinez is very close to making a Manchester United comeback
Manchester United
Senne Lammens has settled between the sticks for the hosts, and he is in line to start again under Ruben Amorim. Given how Harry Maguire played against Liverpool, there is a chance that the England international is partnering de Ligt in the back three that will still expectedly miss Lisandro Martinez. The Argentine centre-back is nearing his full return from a long-term spell on the sidelines, but this game might be a tad too soon for him.
After being benched against the Reds last weekend, there is a chance that Dorgu comes into that left channel as the Portuguese head coach pushes to get him running.
Brighton
For Brighton, Diego Gomez will face a late fitness test. He was subbed off in the first forty-five against Newcastle United. But at the moment there is no clarity over if that was enough to rule him out for a trip to Old Trafford.
Maxim De Cuyper will be fit to start for the Seagulls. Kaoru Mitoma is another who faces a late fitness test for Brighton, and if he is unavailable, then Ferdi Kadioglu could move into the flank with De Cuyper at left back.
Tactical pregame discussion
Ruben Amorim says Manchester United aim to follow Liverpool’s path to challenge at the top again ahead of the Anfield clash.
Can Ruben Amorim inspire with his philosophy in Man United vs Brighton
Ruben Amorim will expectedly stick with his 3-4-2-1 setup. Ideally this means that United will be compact off the ball to prevent between-the-line passes, while the back three gives you that protection against wide rotations. We want to see Bruno Fernandes given some more freedom to lay off passes and pick up pockets between the lines.
The wide roles will be key. Amad and Dalot need to maintain defensive discipline, especially given how the Seagulls like these wide overloads before forcing through (especially if Mitoma starts). Brighton will focus on control from the middle and rapid switches to isolate full-backs, and it has been a thing which United have been caught out from in the last few meetings against Brighton. So hopefully Amorim contains it this time around.
For the visitors, Ayari and Baleba must handle the tempo in the middle of the park.
There is a chance that Hurzeler can look to crowd Bruno and restrict his touches while relying on Welbeck’s hold-up play to stretch United’s shape vertically.
Predicted Lineups
Man United: Lammens; de Ligt, Maguire, Shaw; Amad, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbuemo, Cunha; Sesko
Brighton: Verbruggen; Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Kadioglu; Welbeck
Prediction
With only a point between both sides going into the game, Brighton will be hungry to take up the European sport with a win.
And the Seagulls do boast an excellent record at Old Trafford of late. They have won three of the two games hosted at M16. And they will be dreaming to make it four at the Theatre of Dreams. But we think that Amorim’s side can push them to a draw.
Man United 1 – 1 Brighton