Brighton v Man Utd
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: The American Express Community Stadium
Date: Sunday 19th August 2018
Kick-off: 16:00 BST
Referee: Kevin Friend
Assistants: Stuart Burt, Matthew Wilkes
Fourth official: Graham Scott
TEAM NEWS
Brighton began with just one of their summer signings in their starting line-up at Watford but may make changes after a disappointing 2-0 defeat.
Yves Bissouma and Alireza Jahanbakhsh both featured as a substitute and could be promoted to the starting line-up.
Veteran right-back Bruno was forced off at Vicarage Road through injury and joins Florin Andone on the sidelines.
Romelu Lukaku could return to the Manchester United team after beginning their opening game on the bench.
Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Antonio Valencia are all back in training but will not be considered for selection.
Valencia's absence means Paul Pogba will continue as captain.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Jonathan Pearce: Brighton's 1-0 win over United in May came through the cohesive spirit and buoyant optimism that characterised their season. Conversely, Jose Mourinho's post-match criticism of his players typified the disgruntled, divisive mood that seems to have festered on.
But that victory is Brighton's only success in 11 league and cup games. They were disturbingly poor at Watford.
The Seagulls took four matches to land their first Premier League win last term and with Liverpool to come, it might take them as long again this time round. New signings need to hit the ground running.
Mourinho's body language camouflaged a patchy win over Leicester and raised questions about his long-term future. But results change everything. I can see United making it two opening wins from two for the fourth season running.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Brighton manager Chris Hughton: "The last game against them was our last one at home and our fans will rightly remember it.
"The supporters have been excellent and we know they'll be great again this weekend."
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on Paul Pogba: "The truth is we are together for two years and a couple of weeks, and I've never been so happy with him as I am now.
"That's the truth. I cannot demand more from him, I cannot ask more from him."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
[*=left]Brighton have won their last two home league games against Manchester United, with these games (in 1982 and 2018) almost 36 years apart.
[*=left]United's last win away to Brighton came in April 1982, with the late Ray Wilkins scoring the only goal.
[*=left]The Seagulls have only won one of their last 10 league games (11 in all competitions), with that victory coming against Manchester United in May.
[*=left]Brighton had the eighth best home record in the Premier League last season (W7, D8, L4).
[*=left]They have won their opening home fixture in only one of their five previous top-flight campaigns (D1, L3), a 2-0 victory against Wolves in 1980.
[*=left]Pascal Gross has had a hand in six goals in his last seven Premier League games at the Amex Stadium (three goals and three assists).
[*=left]Glenn Murray could make his 200th league appearance for the club.
[*=left]Manchester United did not score in their last two away league games of 2017-18, including a 1-0 defeat at Brighton. It is 13 years since they failed to score in three consecutive away league matches.
[*=left]United have scored a Premier League goal at 56 of the 58 different stadiums they have played at, with the only exceptions the Amex Stadium and Wembley Stadium.
[*=left]Alexis Sanchez has not scored a Premier League away goal since netting twice in Arsenal's 3-2 win at Crystal Palace on 28 December 2017.
[*=left]Paul Pogba has scored in 11 Premier League games and ended on the winning side in all of them - a joint-record he shares with former Liverpool player Ryan Babel.
