Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2024/25 English Premier League
Matchday 2
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United
American Express Stadium
Brighton and Hove, England
Saturday, 24 August 2024
Kick-off is at 11h30
Manchester United will be seeking only their second win against Brighton in six meetings when they head to the Amex on Saturday, August 24.
The Red Devils have struggled to get the better of the Seagulls in recent seasons and suffered four straight defeats in the
Premier League before finally emerging victorious on the south coast at the end of last season.
Second-half goals from Diogo Dalot (73') and Rasmus Hojlund (88') earned United a 2-0 win in their final game of the 2023-24 campaign, although it was only enough to secure eighth place.
Erik ten Hag' side kicked off the new season with a 1-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford on August 16 which was the eight time in 10 years that they had won on the opening weekend.
United were one of eight teams to have triumphed on matchday 1 and they sit seventh in the standings, with Albion occupying top spot after beating Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park on August 17.
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Fabian Hurzeler began his tenure in the best possible way since replacing Roberto De Zerbi at the helm in the off-season, having seen his team dominate proceedings on Merseyside.
It was Brighton's fifth win on the opening day since their promotion to the top tier of English football in 2017-18 and a proud moment for Hurzeler.
"I'm very happy, it's a good start but nothing more and it's important to stay humble after this," the German said.
"It's a very good feeling but I don't want to talk about myself, the players deserved this. They worked hard in pre-season and I'm very proud of them.
"It was a good result, very intense. In some moments we suffered but after a time we tried to control the game, had good chances, then went 1-0 up. In the end the clean sheet was important and we showed attitude and character."
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Ten Hag admitted the win over the Cottagers would go a long way to boosting the confidence of the players, but he wants to see them be more clinical inside the opposition box.
"It's just [the] first game. But it's good to strengthen the belief, confidence in the team. But it's not only the win but also the performance that's okay. And, I have seen many spaces where we can, and where we have to, improve. But that's normal, first game of the season," the Dutchman said.
"Fulham is always a difficult game, they are very good on the ball, but I think we defended. Especially, we pressed very well. After, I think, 10-12 minutes we found our spell in the game and we kept them under pressure and they had a lot of trouble.
"They didn't come out of the pressure, which was good, and we created a lot of chances, I think. And we should have scored earlier, that's the only criticism I have on the team. Kill. Kill in the box."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Brighton wins - 4
Man United wins - 1
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 2 fixtures:
Saturday, August 24
11h30: Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United
14h00: Crystal Palace v West Ham United
14h00: Fulham v Leicester City
14h00: Manchester City v Ipswich Town
14h00: Southampton v Nottingham Forest
14h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Everton
16h30: Aston Villa v Arsenal
Sunday, August 25
13h00: Bournemouth v Newcastle United
13h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea
15h30: Liverpool v Brentford
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