Manchester United Wonderkids who didn't make it. Federico Macheda
Manchester United Wonderkids who didn't make it. Federico Macheda
Last Word on Football brings you the latest Manchester United predicted lineup ahead of their third-round EFL Cup match against Brighton. After contrasting Premier League games on Sunday, all eyes switch focus towards the cup for the first time this season.
Manchester United were hard done by with a 1-0 loss in the derby against Manchester City. Losing to an Erling Haaland goal, the referee’s body has admitted that they made a mistake in allowing the goal to stand. With that being said, despite being down to 10 men due to a Phil Foden red card, City were the better team.
Brighton weathered an early storm from last year’s Championship winners, Coventry City and trounced the Sky Blues 5-0, including a rare screamer from centre-back Lewis Dunk.
Carrick vs Hurzeler – The Battle of Young Managers
Manchester United vs Brighton lineups - image of Fabian Hurzeler
IMAGO / News Images
Date: Wednesday, September 16th, 2026
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Kick-off: 20:00
Last meeting: Brighton 0 – 3 Manchester United (24.05.2026)
Manchester United Team News
Manchester United have no new injury concerns ahead of their opening cup game of the season, meaning the Manchester United predicted lineup should be straightforward to consider.
Luke Shaw missed both the Sabah FK Champions League fixture last week as well as the Manchester Derby on Sunday. Although there were suggestions from United boss Michael Carrick that Shaw’s absence was simply managing minutes, it appears that the left-back may be suffering a more concerning injury than first thought.
Elsewhere, Matthijs de Ligt’s return is looking positive as he is now training but will still miss the EFL Cup game. Amad and Manuel Ugarte won’t be available.
New signing Carlos Baleba will not be fit to face his old club due to an ankle injury. Carrick commented on the injury, stating, “He’ll be back in and around the group at some point over the next week or so, so that means after internationals, he should be in good shape.”
Brighton Team News
Brighton have been struck with plenty of injuries already this season, and these will likely impact Fabian Hurzele’s team on Wednesday. Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Mats Wieffer, Stefanos Tzimas, Evan Ferguson and Georginio Rutter are all out injured.
Summer signing Femi Azeez will also miss the trip to Old Trafford. Arguably the biggest miss for Brighton is versatile midfielder Jack Hinshelwood, who will be out for a prolonged period of time.
We do know that Jason Steele will start in goal for Brighton after Hurzeler confirmed this and described him as “the best number two in the league”.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Lammens
Dalot
Maguire
Yoro
Amass
Mainoo
Santos
Bruno Fernandes
Mbuemo
Rashford
Sesko
Brighton Predicted Lineup
Steele
Kadioglu
Vuskovic
Dunk
Osman
Gross
Ayari
Costinha
O’Riley
De Cruyper
Kostoulas
The Last Word – Match Prediction
This will likely be a competitive, tight affair. Manchester United will not want to crash out of the EFL Cup in the first round for the second consecutive year, which is why our Manchester United predicted lineup reflects quite a strong side for a cup game. The only changes see Martinez rested in favour of Lenny Yoro, Andre Santos coming in to the midfield, Harry Amass starting at left back, and Benjamin Sesko starting up front.
Sesko changed the game when he came on against Manchester City as United had an outlet up front, and expect Carrick to give him a chance from the start in this one. He can occupy Lewis Dunk whilst Mbuemo and Rashford get in behind.
Brighton gave up plenty of shots against Coventry before the opening goal, and if they do that again against Manchester United, the Red Devils’ quality will show, and they will make them pay for their mistakes. With that being said, Gross and Ayari played well against Coventry and expect them to carry that good form into this one.
Prediction – 2-1 Manchester United
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IMAGO / Visionhaus