Premier League: Five essential picks for your fantasy team
Manchester United host Brighton at Old Trafford in an action-packed Sunday in the Premier League. Erik ten Hag will hope to get off to a good start in his first match as manager of the Red Devils and the Old Trafford crowd will be determined to help the Dutch coach kick off an exciting new era for United.
Graham Potter is hoping to absorb the recent blow after selling star full-back Marc Cucurella to Chelsea for £60 million, and the Seagulls will be eyeing up a top-half finish. United’s pre-season has been overshadowed by the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to push for a move away in order to play in the Champions League. Ten Hag and United have maintained the Portuguese is not for sale though, adding of Ronaldo’s decision to leave United’s final pre-season friendly at half time: “There were many players who left but the spotlight is on Cristiano. That is not right. So do your research and make out many players left.”
United have also found trouble bringing in reinforcements for their new manager, with the Frenkie De Jong saga showing no sign of ending, with the Barcelona midfielder now linked strongly with Chelsea. Anthony Martial is out with a hamstring strain, but there is good news for Ten Hag, with Jadon Sancho and Luke Shaw seemingly over their recent illness. Follow all the latest updates from Old Trafford:
Manchester United 1-2 Brighton
77 mins: Martinez flashes a shot over the bar as another former Ajax player, Van de Beek, replaces McTominay. That leaves a midfield three of Fernandes, Eriksen and Van de Beek.
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 15:36
Manchester United 1-2 Brighton
74 mins: Dunk slides in to prevent the cross as United threaten down the right. Nervy moments in the Brighton defence.
A double change, though, as Lamptey and Mwepu replace Lallana and Trossard.
United are about to bring on Van de Beek.
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 15:34
West Ham vs Manchester City: Team news
Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Foden, Haaland, Grealish
West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Zouma, Cresswell, Johnson, Rice, Soucek, Lanzini, Bowen, Fornals, Antonio
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 15:32
Manchester United 1-2 Brighton
73 mins: Dalot cuts in from the left and shoots, Sanchez spills and Brighton hack clear! Sanchez is looking shaky…
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 15:32
Manchester United 1-2 Brighton
70 mins: United had been having a few more moments of threat. The corner came as Eriksen thundered a shot towards goal and Sanchez turned it behind. As I said moments ago, a United goal would change the game and Brighton are under pressure now.
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 15:29
GOAL! Manchester United 1-2 Brighton (OG 67’)
United pull one back! It’s a scrappy goal but United do not care. Dalot made a nuisance of himself at the corner and Sanchez flapped at the cross. It bounced off Dalot’s back and towards the line, and I think it was Mac Allister’s attempted clearance that helped it over the line.
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 15:26
Manchester United 0-2 Brighton
64 mins: Ronaldo slips in Dalot down the inside right but the defender’s cut-back is cleared as he looked for the return ball. Rashford then can’t keep Eriksen’s cross down as he met the ball on the volley at the back post.
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 15:24
Manchester United 0-2 Brighton
62 mins: There are ‘oles’ as Brighton keep the ball on the halfway line. The travelling fans are enjoying themselves while United’s are growing agitated at loose touches from their side.
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 15:22
Manchester United 0-2 Brighton
59 mins: How is this not 2-1! Ronaldo gets played in down the right and crosses for Rashford, who was free in the middle. He has to score but Sanchez makes himself big and blocks the shot from close range.
The offside flag went up, but Ronaldo was onside.
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 15:19
Manchester United 0-2 Brighton
58 mins: That really looked to be a penalty against Martinez but Brighton go again as they continue to play in the United half.
One goal from United, though, and this will be a different game.
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 15:17