After the postponement of Tuesday night’s game with Brentford, Manchester United’s next game will be at home to Brighton on Saturday, Covid permitting.
Brighton play fantastic football under Graham Potter and are tricky opponents for everyone but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seemed to have the knack of beating them.
It is now up to Ralf Rangnick to continue that impressive record, while trying to inspire an improved performance from the game at Norwich amid the uncertainty thrown up by the health situation United find themselves in.
Six in a row
The last time United lost to Brighton was in Jose Mourinho’s last meeting with them in August 2018.
United lost 3-2 that day, Mourinho was sacked months later to be replaced by Solskjaer, who won all six of his meetings with Brighton.
Five of those were in the Premier League and there was also an EFL Cup win at the Amex Stadium last August.
Solskjaer’s United were always more adept at counter attacking into space than breaking down a deep defence and perhaps Brighton’s willingness to have a go played into United’s hands in those games.
Rangnick will now take a different approach, based around more control and matches and pressing as a unit, provided the game goes ahead.
Defensive record needs to improve
Despite winning the last six meetings, United kept just two clean sheets and conceded in every Old Trafford clash with Brighton under Solskjaer.
As mentioned above, Brighton’s attacking outlook creates open games which have suited, but Rangnick has placed more of an emphasis on stability.
United have conceded just one goal in three under the German, who will likely to be looking for another shutout to offer the foundation for a good result.
United were reliant on David de Gea to preserve the 1-0 victory at Carrow Road and Rangnick will hope his goalkeeper is not as busy this weekend.
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