I have warned my players to be very careful with Him because He is the only Man United player that will be a threat to us tomorrow,any contact with Him in the box is a penalty”, Brighton manager reveals the One Man United player that His players should keep an eye on tomorrow

After Joshua Zirkzee netted a dramatic late winner on his debut for Manchester United, Fulham’s coach Marco Silva expressed his disappointment. Silva observed that Erik ten Hag’s United squad tends to excel when the game opens up and becomes more Stretching
United’s prowess on the counter-attack was clear during the match, a point also highlighted by Pep Guardiola following the Community Shield. The team often poses the greatest threat when the opposition has the ball rather than when United is in possession.

As Fulham pushed for a late equalizer at Old Trafford and lost possession high up the pitch, Manchester United capitalized on the opportunity with their usual precision. Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Alejandro Garnacho combined effectively to set up Zirkzee, who coolly flicked the ball into the net. This goal made Zirkzee the third Dutch player to score on his debut for Manchester United against Fulham, joining Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie.

Ahead of their upcoming match against Brighton & Hove Albion, Brighton’s manager Fabian Hurzeler is keen to avoid a repeat scenario. Hurzeler emphasized the need for maintaining strong positional discipline and spacing to thwart Manchester United’s transition opportunities.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, relayed through Brighton’s YouTube channel, Hurzeler said, “When we are in possession, we need to ensure good positioning and proper distance from each other to prevent their transition moments. This will be crucial.”

Despite missing Rasmus Højlund due to a hamstring injury, Ten Hag has numerous attacking options as Manchester United readies for their first away game of the season. Alejandro Garnacho, who made a significant impact off the bench against Manchester City, also shone against Fulham with a vibrant performance. His cross was converted by Zirkzee at the near post.

Ten Hag might also consider giving Zirkzee, who was acquired for £36 million from Bologna, his first start. Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount have been playing as ‘false nines’ this season, and Hurzeler recognizes the differences this approach presents. “There is a difference when Zirkzee is playing. He is a target player,” Hurzeler explained. “When Mount and Bruno Fernandes play as strikers, they function more as false nines. We need to prepare for both scenarios to be as well-prepared as possible.”

Hurzeler commended Manchester United’s individual quality, noting players like Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, Garnacho, and Mount. “The strength of this team lies in their individual quality, and you must stay alert throughout the game,” he said. “They can decide a match with a single moment of brilliance, even if they haven’t been heavily involved. My team needs to stay focused for the full 90 minutes, especially during transitions.”

Under Hurzeler, Brighton delivered a strong performance in his first official match, defeating Everton 3-0 with help from a red card to former Manchester United captain Ashley Young. Kaoru Mitoma and summer signing Yankuba Minteh were particularly effective on the flanks. Hurzeler confirmed that Minteh will be available for the next game after recovering from a concussion sustained in the Everton match.

Given this, Diogo Dalot and the impressive Noussair Mazraoui, who made a notable debut for United against Fulham, could face a challenging evening at The Amex.

The buildup to Manchester United’s upcoming match against Brighton & Hove Albion is filled with tactical anticipation, particularly concerning United’s dangerous counter-attacking ability. Fulham’s coach, Marco Silva, emphasized how Manchester United thrives when the game becomes more open, especially on the counter-attack. This was evident when Joshua Zirkzee scored a late winner against Fulham, making him the third Dutch player to score on his Manchester United debut against them, following in the footsteps of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie.

Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hurzeler, is keen to prevent a repeat of Fulham’s fate by maintaining strong positional discipline to stifle United’s counter-attacks. Hurzeler’s focus on spacing and organization aims to minimize the transition opportunities that United typically exploits. With United’s diverse attacking options, even in the absence of Rasmus Højlund, Hurzeler is preparing his team for various scenarios, including the potential inclusion of Zirkzee as a target man or Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount operating as false nines.

Brighton, coming off a strong performance against Everton, will be looking to carry that momentum forward while being mindful of United’s individual brilliance, which Hurzeler noted could turn the game at any moment. The tactical battle between United’s counter-attacking prowess and Brighton’s disciplined approach will be key in determining the outcome at The Amex.