Erik ten Hag faces a tricky first competitive match as Manchester United manager when Brighton & Hove Albion visit Old Trafford exactly three months after the Seagulls embarrassed the Red Devils with a 4-0 win at the Amex Stadium.
As a benchmark for United's initial progress since Ten Hag's arrival from Ajax in July, a meeting with opponents who thrashed them during a dismal 2021/22 campaign could prove instructive.
Brighton finished the season on a five-match unbeaten run that included three wins, securing their highest ever final position of ninth in the top flight.
How can you watch United's opener? What odds can you get on Brighton to produce another surprise? The Sporting News has all the details.
What time is Manchester United vs. Brighton?
Manchester United host Brighton at Old Trafford in Manchester, UK. It kicks off at 2 p.m. BST on Sunday, August 7.
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| August 7 | Sunday, August 7 | Sunday, August 7 | Sunday, August 7 | Sunday, August 7 |
| Time | 14:00 BST | 09:00 ET | 09:00 ET | 23:00 AEST |
How to watch Manchester United vs. Brighton
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| TV channel | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD |
— | — | — |
| Streaming | Sky Go / Now TV | Peacock | fuboTV | Optus Sport |
UK: Man United vs. Brighton will be televised and streamed by Sky Sports in the UK.
USA: The match in the USA will only be available on NBC streaming platform Peacock.
Canada: Every Premier League game streams live and on demand exclusively via fuboTV.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream matches live and on demand on Optus Sport.
Manchester United vs. Brighton predicted lineups
Full-back Luke Shaw missed both of United's friendlies over the final weekend of preseason, so new signing Tyrell Malacia could deputise for the injured England defender.
Attacker Jadon Sancho also missed those games through illness but has been a mainstay for Ten Hag and can be expected to start. There are problems up front, though: Anthony Martial has sustained a hamstring injury, while 2021/22 top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo is engaged in a much-publicised stand-off with the club as he targets a move to a Champions League side and only played 45 minutes of preseason.
Man United predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): De Gea (GK) — Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia — McTominay, Fred — Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga — Rashford
Poland midfielder Jakub Moder remains a long-term absentee for Brighton and playmaker Alexis Mac Allister is a slight doubt after suffering a groin problem during their 5-1 win over Espanyol in their final preseason match.
Brighton predicted lineup (4-5-1): Sanchez (GK) — Veltman, Dunk, Webster, March — Gross, Mac Allister, Mwepu, Caicedo, Trossard — Welbeck
MORE: Manchester United team news: Injuries, predicted lineup and debuts
Manchester United vs. Brighton betting odds
Brighton have rarely troubled United at Old Trafford, losing all eight of their visits since 1992 including a 2-0 defeat in 2021/22 courtesy of second-half goals from Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
A bet on both teams to score at almost evens could be promising: both teams have netted on three of the past four occasions when United have hosted Brighton, who have won three of the previous 10 league meetings between the teams.
| UK (Sky Bet) |
USA (DraftKings) |
Canada (Sports Interaction) |
|
| Man United Win | 8/13 | -155 | 1.60 |
| Draw | 3/1 | +300 | 3.89 |
| Brighton Win | 17/4 | +450 | 5.41 |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 8/11 | -110 | 1.85 |
| Both Teams to Score | 10/11 | -110 | 1.89 |