When Brighton & Hove Albion comes to Old Trafford on Saturday, Marcus Rashford will be looking to build on his goal against Arsenal.
The Manchester United fan base was filled with anticipation and excitement the last time Brighton & Hove Albion visited Old Trafford.
The Seagulls came to M16 on the first day of the previous campaign, making them the first team Erik ten Hag faced as the manager of United in a competitive game. Even though several of the players they had recruited during the summer were still missing, the Reds were eager for the big kick-off after a successful preseason under the Dutchman.
Naturally, United and Ten Hag suffered a 2-1 loss, which quickly led to pressure being put on them. However, that first Sunday in August of last year is now only a dim memory.
The club is still progressing in the right direction despite all of the off-field controversy that has dominated the international break. The burden is on United to defeat the Seagulls this afternoon and get all three points after a difficult start to the campaign that saw them take just six of the first 12 available points.
A confident and dynamic Brighton team that has won three of their opening games and are the division’s leading goal scorers thus far this season will have to be stopped. United, in each of their first four games, put up four underwhelming displays, meaning they will have to significantly raise their performance levels. United has, for the most part, appeared impotent in attack, and they are aware of the value of entertaining their supporters after a trying two-week hiatus.
Therefore, it wouldn’t be too strange to learn that some United supporters may be anticipating the worst before this afternoon’s M16 match. Brighton, one of the most sought-after teams in the nation right now, will not submit to pressure from anyone. United,Actually, you probably know it better than most people.
In their three encounters with the Seagulls last season, they were defeated on penalties following a scoreless draw at Wembley in the FA Cup semifinal in April after losing both league games. Aside from Alexis Mac Allister’s own goal in the 2-1 loss to the Seagulls in late August, no United player has scored against them in the previous three encounters.
But it’s probable that Ten Hag may use a fresh-look front-three this afternoon, giving both players their full Premier League debuts in an effort to end that mini-dry spell and, more significantly, give new vitality to a squad that has underperformed thus far this season.
In spite of Jadon Sancho and Antony’s absences, Pellistri appears to be a lock to start on the right wing and make just his second appearance for the club across all competitions. He has had to be patient in waiting for possibilities to present themselves, and it feels that the time is now for him to be let loose.
Pellistri is a throwback to a winger from the past who likes to beat his man on the outside and then try to dig out a cross, bringing different skills to the table compared to United’s other wide choices. You could have argued that his skills would have been wasted in the past due to United’s lack of a natural No. 9 in the middle.
Hojlund is now a member of United, giving Pellistri a target to attempt to isolate in the middle of the field. The former, who is both powerful and mobile, might present issues for Brighton’s defense, which, despite their strong start this season, has yet to keep a clean sheet.
If Hojlund is deployed through the middle and Pellistri begins on the right, Marcus Rashford will conclude the look and begin on the left, completing a new-look attack. Despite the outcome in north London, he should be full of confidence given that he scored 30 goals last season and scored his first goal of this season against Arsenal the previous time out.
Rashford performs at his best when positioned on the left, so the possibility of launching an assault with a natural No. 9 should amplify his individual strengths and enable him to do what he does best. But along with that comes accountability.
If Pellistri, Hojlund, and Rashford make up Ten Hag’s front three, it will be up to the latter to set the example and act as the senior player. Hojlund and Pellistri have never started, much less scored in, a Premier League match. Rashford would have to set an example for others to follow and possibly show some leadership qualities.
Ten Hag will probably have a lot of faith and trust in the England international because he has been United’s most improved player. Ten Hag needs to take action to motivate his team despite the pressure to get three points. The key might be an attack with a fresh look.
