How to watch and follow United v Brighton

It’s been 77 days since we were last in top-flight action, but the wait is almost over as the Reds look to build on a positive pre-season under new manager Erik ten Hag.

Here’s everything you need to know about the clash with the Seagulls…

HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW THE GAME?

MUTV’s Matchday Live show begins at 12:55 BST on Sunday and registered users can watch the pre-match and post-match shows in the Man Utd App and on ManUtd.com. Radio commentary is available on our platforms during the duration of the game.

The match is also being televised live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.

WHEN CAN YOU SEE HIGHLIGHTS?

If you’re unable to join us on Sunday afternoon, short match highlights will be available in the Man Utd App and on ManUtd.com two hours after full-time.

Extended 20-minute highlights can then be viewed from 00:01 BST on Monday.

MUTV viewers can also watch the Full 90 match replay from the same time on Monday.

WHAT’S THE TEAM NEWS?

Erik ten Hag utilised 34 different players during pre-season and while, of course, not all can be involved on Sunday, the Dutchman now has five substitutes to play with due to the recent Premier League rule change. Although Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the side for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano, Luke Shaw and Jadon Sancho sat out both friendly games. Ten Hag will appear before reporters for his first Premier League press conference on Friday, at a time to be confirmed, and he may provide more insight on his team plans then.

As far as Brighton are concerned, midfielder Jakub Moder remains sidelined with the anterior-cruciate-ligament injury he suffered towards the end of last season. The Poland international recently had a ‘second surgical procedure’ on the issue, according to Albion technical director David Weir, with a return unlikely before the end of 2022.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON?

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes secured a 2-0 win for United over Brighton at Old Trafford in February, with the game moved from its original December date after a Covid outbreak in the Reds squad. That was our fifth successive home win over the Seagulls since they were promoted to the top flight in 2017. The less said about the reverse fixture, the better, as we were on the end of a 4-0 defeat at the Amex in early May.

HOW HAVE THEY DONE IN PRE-SEASON?

Brighton played five pre-season friendlies, kicking off their campaign with a behind-closed-doors goalless draw against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in early July. Potter’s side then defeated Estoril 4-1 in Portugal, with Neal Maupay scoring twice, before returning to the UK for a 2-1 win over Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

A 1-0 reverse at home to Brentford followed, before an impressive 5-1 success, also at the Amex, against visiting La Liga outfit Espanyol. Leandro Trossard caught the eye with a hat-trick in that game.

ANY NEW FACES?

The Seagulls have exclusively done their business in the youth market this summer, with 18-year-old Paraguay international forward Julio Enciso the headline capture from Libertad Asuncion.

German striker Deniz Undav will join up with the squad this campaign, having struck 25 goals for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium in 2021/22, winning the top division’s Golden Boot in the process. The 26-year-old was snapped up by the Seagulls in January but remained with the Brussels club and, along with fellow returnee in winger Kaoru Mitoma, helped them to a second-placed finish and Champions League qualification.

Yves Bissouma was the biggest name to depart over the close season, as the Mali midfielder signed for Tottenham.

WHO ARE THE OFFICIALS?

Referee: Paul Tierney
Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Neil Davies
Fourth official: Michael Salisbury
VAR: John Brooks
Assistant VAR: Timothy Wood

WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?

Crystal Palace and Arsenal will kick off the 2022/23 Premier League season at Selhurst Park on Friday night. There are six games on Saturday, with Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea among those in action, while Leicester City host Brentford at the same time as our game on Sunday. Manchester City travel to West Ham United to complete the weekend.

FRIDAY 5 AUGUST

Crystal Palace v Arsenal (20:00 BST)

SATURDAY 6 AUGUST

Fulham v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Bournemouth v Aston Villa
Leeds v Wolves
Newcastle v Nottingham Forest
Tottenham v Southampton
Everton v Chelsea (17:30 BST)

SUNDAY 7 AUGUST

Leicester v Brentford (14:00 BST)
UNITED v Brighton (14:00 BST)
West Ham v Manchester City (16:30 BST)

All times 15:00 BST unless stated.