Manchester United begin this season’s FA Cup campaign on Sunday afternoon against Brighton, with Darren Fletcher set to be in the dugout.
After drawing 2-2 against Burnley, this will be a game Darren Fletcher will be desperate to claim victory in, to sign off as interim with a win.
Fletcher has already discussed the importance of the FA Cup in the build up to the game, and so we know that he will take it very seriously, with the exact squad available to him that played really well on Wednesday night.
United deserved more against Burnley, with Fletcher praising the way his team played and 99 times out of 100, it would have been enough for victory.
This could be Fletcher’s final game in charge, with United meeting with Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with one expected to be at the helm by next weekend for the Manchester derby, and so he will go for the win.
WILL Manchester United beat Brighton in the FA Cup on Sunday?
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Benjamin Sesko and Bruno Fernandes clap Manchester United fans.
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How Manchester United could line-up against Brighton
It will be a very competitive game against Brighton, with both sides very evenly matched.
United were 4-2 winners against Brighton back in October, but a lot has changed since then, namely the man setting up the home side after Ruben Amorim was sacked.
Benjamin Sesko applauds travelling Manchester United fans vs Burnley.
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So, using what we learned about Fletcher’s side against Burnley, here is our predicted line-up to take on Brighton in the FA Cup.
Senne Lammens: In goal, there is a good chance that Fletcher gives Altay Bayindir his first start since September. However, given the importance of this one, we anticipate that Lammens may keep his place again as he hopes for another quiet night.
Diogo Dalot: Against Burnley, Dalot was an unsung hero for United, shining back in his natural right-back role which is a good omen of his future at the club. He will also be keen to nail down the position before Noussair Mazraoui’s AFCON campaign with Morocco ends.
Leny Yoro: While Ayden Heaven has made himself undroppable for United lately, Yoro needs games and we see him getting the chance to start against Brighton.
Lisandro Martinez: This could be either Martinez or Heaven, depending on which needs to be rested more. But we see the Argentine starting for his leadership at the back.
Patrick Dorgu: With Luke Shaw struggling against Burnley, we think he might be rested against Brighton and therefore Dorgu might find himself at left-back. Dorgu has impressed recently and offers a lot going forward, which could make him the ideal full-back for United.
Manuel Ugarte: We expect to see Casemiro rested here, with Ugarte’s continued resurgence at United seeing him once again in the starting line-up, with his immediate future looking less likely to end in an exit.
Kobbie Mainoo is back, what did you like about his performance vs Burnley?
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Kobbie Mainoo: Back from injury immediately after Amorim’s departure, Mainoo has been ‘freed’. Fletcher spoke glowingly about Mainoo ahead of the game and after a good cameo, we expect him to start in the FA Cup.
Shea Lacey: While far from certain to start, Lacey was incredible on his second United appearance, lighting the game up and almost scoring if not for the crossbar. Lacey deserves to start as United’s best right wing option available right now. It would also give him the chance to become a star.
Bruno Fernandes: Fernandes was back against Burnley and despite a quiet start he managed to pick up an assist and should have had more, also hitting the post with a shot. We expect he will play here with an increase in minutes.
How will Manchester United line-up against Brighton for the FA Cup third round?🔮
What changes would you make and who will be United's most important player?👀
Predicted XI
UIF Predicted XI
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Matheus Cunha: After a poor performance against Burnley, United fans are questioning Cunha’s place in the new system that lines up in a 4-2-3-1. But we think he starts here, on the left, with Dorgu overlapping likely to give the Brazilian a lot of space.
Benjamin Sesko: After Sesko scored twice against Burnley, the logical move would be to start him here in the hopes he gets another goal or two and heads into the Manchester derby with confidence.
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