Manchester United Clash with Brighton in Must-Win FA Cup Battle: Team News, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Manchester United welcome the last of four Premier League matchups in the FA Cup third round as they take on Brighton & Hove Albion this Sunday afternoon.
Confusion remains around the Red Devils after Ruben Amorim's departure. Darren Fletcher will manage from the sidelines for the upcoming battle against the Seagulls, but United continue their hunt for a temporary manager through the season's end, with former player and coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær being considered among the candidates.
Fletcher's managerial debut proved frustrating in midweek as United settled for a 2–2 stalemate against Premier League bottom-dwellers Burnley, and the Scottish coach will want an improved performance on Sunday. The Red Devils hope to repeat their 4–2 triumph over the Seagulls from October, though ideally with less drama in the final moments.
Brighton's loss at Old Trafford months earlier broke a three-match winning run at the ground, and Fabian Hürzeler seeks payback. After securing a valuable point at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, the coastal club arrives with confidence.
Sunday's encounter marks the ninth FA Cup meeting between these sides, with the first occurring back in 1909 and the latest being the 2023 semi-final. Brighton suffered heartbreak at Wembley Stadium three years prior and will aim for better fortune this time around.
Here's Sports Illustrated's match preview.
What Time Does Man Utd vs. Brighton Kick Off?
Man Utd vs. Brighton Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Man Utd | Brighton |
|---|---|
Burnley 2–2 Man Utd - 07/01/26 | Man City 1–1 Brighton - 07/01/26 |
Leeds 1–1 Man Utd - 04/01/26 | Brighton 2–0 Burnley - 03/01/26 |
Man Utd 1–1 Wolves - 30/12/25 | West Ham 2–2 Brighton - 30/12/25 |
Man Utd 1–0 Newcastle - 26/12/25 | Arsenal 2–1 Brighton - 27/12/25 |
Aston Villa 2–1 Man Utd - 21/12/25 | Brighton 0–0 Sunderland - 20/12/25 |
How to Watch Man Utd vs. Brighton on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports Ultimate, discovery+, discovery+ App |
United States | ESPN Select, ESPN App, fuboTV |
Canada | Sportsnet World, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet Plus |
Mexico | TNT Sports, TNT Go, Max Mexico |
Man Utd Team News
United saw four missing players return midweek as Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo all featured at Turf Moor, while Harry Maguire remained on the bench. The group should be available for selection again on Sunday.
Bryan Mbeumo was eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday evening when his Cameroon team lost to Noussair Mazraoui's Morocco. Nevertheless, Fletcher has stated that the former Brentford attacker remains unavailable for the Brighton clash. Amad Diallo is also absent due to AFCON commitments.
Matthijs de Ligt represents Fletcher's sole injury concern, with the interim manager unlikely to make extensive changes given United's lack of European commitments and early Carabao Cup exit.
Man Utd Predicted Lineup vs. Brighton
Man Utd predicted lineup vs. Brighton (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Martínez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Cunha, Fernandes, Dorgu; Šeško.
Brighton Team News
Hürzeler has suggested potential alterations to his starting eleven against the Red Devils but welcomes back Joël Veltman and Charalampos Kostoulas from injury. Yankuba Minteh might also be involved after missing recent matches with a muscle problem.
Solly March and Mats Wieffer remain unavailable for the fixture, while Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas are long-term casualties.
Hürzeler has emphasized he will only grant opportunities to players who "truly earn it," with fringe players like Diego Coppola, Tom Watson and Jason Steele possibly receiving chances to impress.
Brighton Predicted Lineup vs. Man Utd
Brighton predicted lineup vs. Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Steele; Veltman, Coppola, Dunk, Kadıoğlu; Ayari, Milner; Gruda, Rutter, Watson; Welbeck.
Man Utd vs. Brighton Score Prediction
Despite their October defeat at Old Trafford, Brighton possess an impressive away record against United and might extend their collection of notable victories in Manchester. Hürzeler will rotate his squad, but he commands a talented and disciplined group capable of troubling a United team that has managed just three consecutive draws.
Draws against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United and Burnley will have damaged morale, and Amorim's exit adds further uncertainty. Remember, this is the same team eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town this season.