Manchester United journey to the Amex Stadium to face European hopefuls Brighton & Hove Albion within the closing spherical of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
With little driving on this encounter from a standings perspective, Man Utd will likely be out to finish a powerful finish to the season after a goal-glutted 3-2 house win over Nottingham Forest cemented their third-place end.
Driving on a five-game unbeaten league run (W4, D1), interim boss Michael Carrick seems set for a everlasting contract at Previous Trafford regardless of a latest affirmation delay.
It however feels inevitable after the 44-year-old steered the membership again on observe after Ruben Amorim’s disappointing tenure, guiding them to their first top-three end because the 2022/23 season.
Though the Crimson Devils don’t have anything however pleasure left to play for on the ultimate day, this showdown might decide the destiny of Brighton’s pursuit of a second-ever European qualification.
Should-win affair
Conceding from the one shot on the right track they confronted condemned Fabian Hurzeler’s aspect to a irritating 1-0 loss at Leeds United final weekend, placing a dent of their top-seven hopes.
An absence of consistency has derailed Brighton’s European ambitions, with the Seagulls now alternating between victories and defeats throughout their final 4 league outings (W2, L2).
In consequence, they head into the season finale sitting seventh within the standings, albeit solely a degree away from ninth-placed Brentford, who will face Liverpool at Anfield.
Brighton should take three factors right here in the event that they’re to lock down a top-seven end no matter different outcomes, and so they can draw confidence from their spectacular kind in East Sussex.
Hurzeler’s males have gained their final three house league video games, beating the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool within the course of, and so they might make it 4 wins in a row for the primary time of their top-flight historical past.
Nevertheless, it’s price noting that they’ve failed on the fourth hurdle six instances already.
Icing on the cake
Ending an impressive second half of the season on a excessive notice could be a becoming manner for Man Utd to wrap up a marketing campaign that when threatened to spiral into full chaos underneath Amorim.
It might even be an ideal parting present for veteran midfielder Casemiro, who bid farewell to Previous Trafford final weekend, because the Brazilian celebrity goals to log out in fashion.
With solely Arsenal (24) successful extra final-day Premier League fixtures than Man Utd (23), it stands to motive that the guests will head to the Amex stuffed with confidence regardless of having little to play for.
Carrick’s aspect shouldn’t take something with no consideration, although, particularly after choosing up simply three victories from their final ten away league matches (D5, L2).
Nonetheless, after a exceptional 4-2 win in October’s reverse fixture, United will likely be eager to finish their first league double over Brighton because the 2020/21 season regardless of having gained simply considered one of their final 4 league visits to this venue.
Group Information
Along with long-term absentee Matthijs de Ligt, Man Utd can even be with out standout striker Benjamin Sesko, with Carrick reluctant to danger the Slovenian goal-getter on the ultimate day.
Nevertheless, they continue to be the one lacking gamers within the travelling squad.
Bryan Mbeumo stays the likeliest candidate to guide the road in Sesko’s absence, particularly after ending an 11-game Premier League drought in opposition to Forest final day out.
Captain Bruno Fernandes, who arrange the Cameroonian ahead, equalled the report for many assists in a Premier League marketing campaign, and he might, due to this fact, make historical past this weekend.
Apparently, the exit-bound Casemiro profited from six of Fernandes’ 20 league assists this time period.
How Man Utd might line up vs Brighton
(4-2-3-1): Lammens; Shaw, Martinez, Maguire, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Cunha, Fernandes, Mount; Mbeumo.
