04 May 2023 , 07:00
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Manchester United can tighten their grip on a Champions League place with victory over Brighton on Thursday.
The Red Devils are in pole position to finish inside the top four after an impressive recent run, coming out on top in four of their last five Premier League matches. Erik ten Hag's men can move above Newcastle into third with a win at the AMEX Stadium, but that won't be an easy task.
Roberto De Zerbi's side thrashed Wolves 6-0 on Saturday and have their own European ambitions. The Seagulls sit eighth, two points behind six-place Aston Villa with three games in hand.
But Ten Hag will be completely focused on United and how they managed to squeeze out another three points, having beaten Brighton on penalties at Wembley just 11 days ago. United were arguably fortunate to go through on that day but showed spirit and steel to edge their opponents in the shootout.
In recent weeks, Ten Hag has shuffled his pack and rotated when applicable, but the Dutchman could name an unchanged side to face Brighton. David de Gea is ultimately someone who has proven his worth in the past fortnight and made some exceptional saves versus the Seagulls in the FA Cup on April 23.
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David De Gea has been exceptional for Manchester United this season (Getty Images)He also kept his 15th Premier League clean sheet of the season in the 1-0 victory over Villa on Sunday and is set to start once again in between the sticks for the Red Devils. The Spaniard is out of contract this summer but United and Ten Hag are keen to keep him at the club.
At the back, Ten Hag could start with the same back four which included Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. This would leave both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire on the bench, with Lisandro Martinez out until the end of the season and Raphael Varane not yet fit to start.
In midfield, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen have impressed since they were reunited following the Dane's return to full fitness. That double-pivot is set to continue, with Marcel Sabitzer just ahead in the no.10 role. The Bayern Munich loanee started the 1-0 victory against Villa in the same position - and did well.
How Manchester United could line up against BrightonWill Man Utd beat Brighton on Thursday? Let us know in the comments below!
Across the front three, Antony has been a mainstay in the United side since Ten Hag's arrival, and despite his lack of goal contributions, he remains a constant threat on the right wing. That would leave Fernandes out on the left after his strike against Villa, with Marcus Rashford through the middle.
Rashford is United's top scorer on 18 Premier League goals this term, with Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst expected to be named on the bench for the second game running.
How United could line up against Brighton: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Shaw, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Sabitzer, Fernandes, Rashford