Early team news: Man Utd v Brighton

All eyes are on new manager Erik ten Hag and his team selection, after an intriguing pre-season schedule and a summer transfer window that has, to date, brought three new faces to Old Trafford.

 

The Dutchman is likely to provide a detailed update on his squad's health and general readiness on Friday (5 August), when he sits down with the media for his pre-match press conference at Carrington.

 

But here's what we already know...

There was good news on Wednesday, when Luke Shaw was pictured in training, after missing both the Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano games last weekend.

Fellow left-back Tyrell Malacia impressed against the former – earning the Man of the Match award in our fan poll – so that position could be one aspect of the team line-up to keep a particular eye on.

 

Jadon Sancho made the trip to Oslo for the Atleti fixture, but was taken ill overnight and played no part across the weekend's games. But it is hoped he will recover in time to face the Seagulls.

One positive from the Atletico game was the return of Scott McTominay, who went off injured during our Tour 2022 victory over Crystal Palace and missed the following match against Aston Villa. But the Scotland international managed 69 minutes in Norway.
Fred was sent off in the final stages against Atletico Madrid, but his dismissal will have no impact on his availability for the Premier League opener.

 

Facundo Pellistri was substituted late in the same game, but tweeted afterwards that he felt "fine" despite twisting his ankle.

Another interesting selection dilemma for Ten Hag is up front. In-form Anthony Martial scored three goals in pre-season, but last season's top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, returned to action against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford last Sunday.

 

Lisandro Martinez played just under an hour, but will Erik go with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof – the most common pairing during pre-season – when the season kicks off, for real, against Graham Potter's visitors?

There is perhaps more chance of Christian Eriksen making the starting XI. The Dane came on for his first game in United colours in Oslo, drawing a rapturous reception from the Scandinavian crowd.

 

He played only the final 20 minutes of that match, but added another 60 minutes against Rayo Vallecano in M16 the following day.

 

Meanwhile, after missing several pre-season matches due to injury, James Garner performed well against Rayo. The youngster enjoyed an excellent loan spell with Nottingham Forest in the Championship last term, and will hope to be involved for his parent club this weekend.

 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another who will be pushing for a spot in the squad during the days leading up to kick-off, after being pictured training hard.

Seagulls boss Graham Potter prefers a relatively small squad to work with, so every player can get adequate game time. But the Albion boss has a few uncertainties to negotiate ahead of the 2022/23 season.

 

Coveted left-back Marc Cucurella is reportedly the subject of interest from several clubs and it remains to be seen whether the defender will be involved come the United game.

 

Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister picked up a groin injury in a pre-season friendly with Espanyol, but Potter told local media that he is optimistic that the player will be available for Old Trafford. Jakub Moder is a long-term absentee having ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament towards the end of last season.

 

New signings Deniz Undav and Julio Enciso are hoping for Premier League debuts, but first-choice forwards Neal Maupay and former Red Danny Welbeck could be preferred.