This Saturday at Old Trafford, Brighton and Hove Albion will resume their Premier League campaign against Man United.
When getting ready for this Saturday’s 3pm match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Roberto De Zerbi will have little time.
The fitness of many of the Brighton players will be evaluated when they return from international duty on Thursday before they go to Manchester to face Erik Ten Hag’s club.
After winning three and losing one of their first four games, Brighton is currently sixth in the top flight, but they are already experiencing some injury problems. Danny Welbeck, a former United striker, was out from the 3-1 victory over Newcastle the last time around due to a “minor injury,” and teenage attacker Evan Ferguson is also questionable.
Ferguson scored a fantastic hat-trick against the Magpies, but a knee injury forced him to miss this week’s Republic of Ireland match. The 18-year-old will attempt to be healthy for the match at Old Trafford.
Welbeck and Ferguson’s injuries compound Brighton’s worries about being without Paraguayan forward Julio Enciso, who is sidelined for four months with a knee issue.
However, head coach De Zerbi does have a few choices at his disposal. Here are some of the Italian’s attacking options.
1.Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati could well make his debut. Fati arrived late in the window and did not feature in the previous match against Newcastle. Fati could line-up in attack along with Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March.
2.Joao Pedro is also an option to play through the middle. The £30m summer signing from Watford looked good in slightly deeper role against Newcastle but is more than capable of playing a Ferguson or Welbeck type role, with Mitoma and March supporting from the flanks.
3.De Zerbi also has the option of using Pedro and Fati from the start as a more traditional striking duo with once again Mitoma and March in the wide areas. Simon Adingra will also be hoping for his chance – which could perhaps arrive from the bench at Old Trafford.
Likely XI for Brighton at Old Trafford: Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Gilmour, Gross; March, Fati, Mitoma; Pedro.
