Manchester United vs Newcastle United Match Preview: Kick-off Time, Team News, Predicted line-up and Score Prediction

Manchester United will be hoping to finish off their Premier League campaign in style as they head down to the south coast to face Brighton & Hove Albion.

United will be looking to break the recent curse of Brighton and beat the Seagulls for the first time in four league encounters.

Heading into this one, Brighton have been left with nothing to play for as they sit midtable in the league, however for United, they will need to better the result of Newcastle United if they are to stand any chance of playing in Europe next season.

How do Manchester United look?

Embed from Getty Images

After being plagued with injuries throughout the whole season, United finally have some key players returning from injury.

This week, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial have all returned to training with the squad. Varane and Martial will be desperate to make appearances before the season is up as they will be bidding farewell to the club after the FA Cup final next weekend.

Martinez and Rashford also returned from injury in Wednesday night’s win over Newcastle, with the pair coming off the bench in the final ten minutes of the match.

Hojlund and Fernandes also put any United fan worrying about their slight knocks at ease. Fernandes played 90 minutes and was instrumental throughout, proving why he is pivotal to this United team. Hojlund also came off the bench towards the end of the match and finding the back of the net just two minutes after.

“This weekend will be too soon for both Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw” Ten Hag explained. However, they are both hoping to be back in time for the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Predicted lineup

Embed from Getty Images

After lining up in a 4-2-2-2 formation in midweek, I believe that Erik ten Hag will look to revert to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, using the following players:

Andre Onana (GK), Diogo Dalot (RB), Jonny Evans (CB), Casemiro (CB), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB), Kobbie Mainoo (CDM), Sofyan Amrabat (CDM), Bruno Fernandes (CAM), Amad Diallo (RW), Alejandro Garnacho (LW), Rasmus Hojlund (ST).

Opposition

Embed from Getty Images

Brighton have been struggling to find a decent run of form for a few weeks now, with the Seagulls winning just one of their last nine Premier League matches. On top of that, Roberto De Zerbi has announced his departure from the club following the final day.

Last time out, they came up against an in-form Chelsea side who similarly to United, are looking to grab one of the remaining European places. Chelsea’s calibre of players and run of form soon shone through as they ran out 1-2 winners and, in all honesty, could have been more. Although Brighton have been conceding goals in recent weeks, United will still have to be wary of the attacking threat which they possess.

Roberto De Zerbi announced that skipper Lewis Dunk will be missing the clash with United after sustaining an injury against Chelsea, putting doubts over his Euro’s availability as well.

Brighton will also be without James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood, Jan Paul van Hecke and Kaoru Mitoma; whilst a late assessment will be made on fullback Tariq Lamptey.

Key Stats

Embed from Getty Images

Brighton have won each of their last four encounters with Manchester United – the last side to beat United in 5 consecutive league games was Norwich City between 1988 and 1990.

The Red Devils have lost four of their last six visits to the Amex Stadium (67%), their highest loss rate away against any side in the Premier League.

United have lost their final league game in two of the last five seasons (W3), as many as they had in their previous 33 campaigns (W23, D8).

Prediction

With United looking to finish a disappointing season strongly heading into the FA Cup final next weekend, I believe they will. I can see an end-to-end encounter with many chances for both sides but I see United being more clinical and the game ending 2-3 to the Red Devils, and they will hope that will be enough for a European place for next season.