Manchester United Predicted XI vs Brighton: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to rotate his squad for Carabao Cup last-16 tie

30th September 2020

Categories: Brighton and Hove Albion, EFL Cup, Features, Manchester United, Premier League, Premier League Clubs

Tags: Brandon Williams, Brighton, Carabao Cup, Daniel James, Dean Henderson, Diogo Dalot, Donny van de Beek, Eric Bailly, Fred, Harry Maguire, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, League Cup, Manchester United, Odion Ighalo, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United face Brighton on the South Coast again just four days after their last-gasp Premier League victory on Saturday.

The Red Devils will count themselves fortunate to get away with a 3-2 win against the Seagulls, who hit the woodwork five times, following a 90+10 minute Bruno Fernandes penalty.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will now hope his side can record back-to-back victories against Albion, this time as they look to advance to the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup.

With a big squad at his disposal and Tottenham to come in the Premier League at the weekend, the Norwegian boss has a balancing act.

So which United players will be tasked with the challenge of getting into the next round? Here we predict Solskjaer’s XI…

Goalkeeper:

Dean Henderson impressed on his United debut in the last round at Luton Town and will again replace David de Gea between the sticks as he continues his role of being the club’s cup ‘keeper. The 23-year-0ld kept a clean sheet at Brighton last season as he helped Sheffield United to a 1-0 victory at the Amex Stadium during his impressive season-long loan spell.

Defenders:

United’s back four were well below par on Saturday. Solskjaer seems to have some players not yet up to full speed so he will have to decide who needs more minutes to get back to top gear. This means that captain Harry Maguire could continue at the heart of the defence but with Eric Bailly set to come in alongside him. At full-back, Diogo Dalot and Brandon Williams could give Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw time out.

Midfielders:

Summer signing Donny van de Beek has made good contributions so far but has yet to start in the Premier League. The Dutchman should come in for a second consecutive start in this competition alongside Fred and Juan Mata as a three in midfield.

Forwards:

We also expect Solskjaer to make wholesale changes in his front-three with fringe players needing crucial match time. This should see Daniel James, Jesse Lingard and Odion Ighalo start over the first-choice trio of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial.

Predicted Manchester United XI: Henderson; Dalot, Bailly, Maguire, Williams; Fred, Van de Beek, Mata; James, Lingard, Ighalo.