Match preview: United Women v Brighton

The third-placed Reds have lost just once in the league this season and next up is the visit of the fifth-placed Seagulls, who have been inconsistent of late, to Leigh Sports Village.

Scroll down to find out the key info ahead of the 18:45 GMT kick-off…

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

Make sure you don’t miss out on tickets for the game, which are available to United supporters here.

If you cannot make it to Leigh, you can keep across the action via MUTV's live radio commentary and match updates in the United App and on ManUtd.com. Highlights will be across club platforms to watch from Monday.

Sky Sports will be televising the game for supporters in the UK, with the broadcast coverage due to begin on Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Showcase from 18:30 GMT.

WHAT’S OUR TEAM NEWS?

Marc Skinner shuffled his pack for the midweek League Cup quarter-final against Manchester City, making six changes from the side which beat the same opponents 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium last Sunday.

Aoife Mannion, Anna Sandberg, Simi Awujo, Grace Clinton, Rachel Williams and Melvine Malard all started on Wednesday night, as Gabby George, Jayde Riviere, Celin Bizet, Dominique Janssen, last weekend’s hat-trick hero Ella Toone and Elizabeth Terland were among the substitutes.

Millie Turner was taken off at half-time against City. Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, our head coach expected everyone involved on Wednesday to train and be available for the Brighton clash. 

Marc said: “Everyone did come through all good, we had a couple of niggles that we had to try to prevent at half-time. I believe it’s their first day back in today so I believe that they will come through ready to train today and tomorrow to then obviously go to the Brighton game. I’ve not had any red flags and I’m hopeful everyone will train.”

WHAT ABOUT OUR OPPONENTS?

The Seagulls welcomed Maria Thorisdottir back into the starting XI in the 4-0 midweek defeat by Arsenal in the Women’s League Cup quarter-final, after the former Reds defender missed the final five matches of 2024 with a calf issue.

Serbian midfielder Dejana Stefanovic also returned as a substitute in Wednesday night’s game after a long injury absence.

It remains to be seen whether forward Fran Kirby will be involved - she has not featured since suffering from a calf injury before the winter break.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The Reds will be looking to maintain our strong record against the Seagulls when they make the trip from the south coast this weekend.

We are unbeaten in our four previous clashes - winning two and drawing two. One of those draws came in the return fixture earlier in the campaign, when former Reds forward Nikita Parris cancelled out Grace Clinton’s opening goal as it finished 1-1 at the Amex Stadium back in October.

CURRENT FORM

The Reds will be hoping to put our cup disappointment from midweek behind us and return to winning ways in front of our passionate home support.

Skinner’s side had won our previous five matches in all competitions, scoring 21 goals in the process - including a thumping 7-0 Women’s FA Cup success against West Bromwich Albion.

Meanwhile, the visitors - coached by Dario Vidosic - have lost both of their matches since the winter break, going down 2-1 at Liverpool before the League Cup exit at home to Arsenal.

The Seagulls have taken 17 points from their 11 WSL matches this season - winning five, drawing twice and being on the losing side four times.

RIVALS WATCH

There is a full slate of league games happening elsewhere this weekend. Here’s the full list…

SATURDAY 25 JANUARY

Aston Villa v Manchester City (12:00 GMT)

SUNDAY 26 JANUARY

Chelsea v Arsenal (12:30 GMT)
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur (14:00 GMT)
Leicester City v Liverpool (15:00 GMT)
West Ham United v Everton (15:00 GMT)

UNITED v Brighton & Hove Albion (18:45 GMT)