Man United vs Brighton FA Cup team news
Manchester United vs Brighton in the FA Cup third round from Old Trafford - Sunday, 4.30pm
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler gave an emphatic “yes” when asked if he wants Danny Welbeck to stay next season.
The veteran striker has featured in 20 of Albion’s 21 Premier League matches so far this term and has eight goals from his 12 starts.
Welbeck is out of contract this summer but Hurzeler is keen to work with the 35-year-old once again next term.
“Yes, definitely,” said Hurzeler toSussex World ahead of Brighton’s FA Cup clash at Welbeck’s former club Manchester United this Sunday.
The Brighton boss has had to manage Welbeck’s minutes of late due in part to a lower back issue. His last start was the 2-2 draw at West Ham, where he scored one penalty and missed another.
“The restrictions are not regarding his back,” explained Hurzeler.
“It's just a general thing. We managed him, quite well through the last 18 months.
“Because regarding the statistics, he played the most minutes ever.
“So therefore I'm very pleased how my medical department takes care of him and how he takes care of himself.
“Of course, a player always wants to play, so that's always the procedure you have to deal with.
“But in the end we need to make sure that we take care of his body and of his health, because I think the worst thing that could happen is that he gets injured, and that's something we try to avoid.”
Kostoulas is fit to face Man United
Welbeck will be keen to play against former club this Sunday. But Hurzeler has other options, including fit-again Charalampos Kostoulas.
Hurzeler added: “We have to restrict [Welbeck] and I think that's the only reason at at the moment.
“We have to manage him because he's not capable of starting two games in a row in a quite short period of time.
“I have conversations with him about that. Of course, he's not always happy but, in the end, we need to manage him.
“Because we want to have him on the pitch for the second part of the season, and we have to make decisions to protect his health.”
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