Manchester United are heading to Wembley Stadium to face fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, April 23. Last Word on Sports tries to put together a Manchester United Predicted Lineup as the Red Devils aim to get back to winning ways and move into the FA Cup final.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Brighton
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How Manchester United Have Lined-up Recently
Erik ten Hag has been stripped of some vital options at Manchester United with injuries to key players in recent weeks, which means he’ll hardly play with a full-strength squad for this one. The likes of David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw are still preferred at the back despite the 3-0 loss to Sevilla.
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Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and January signing Marcel Sabitzer are United’s most in-form midfielders and have featured heavily over the last few months. Marcus Rashford and Antony are firing on the wings, while January loanee Wout Weghorst has a major shot at starting this game due to questions about Anthony Martial’s fitness.
Manchester United Recent Form and Tactics
The Red Devils have been in relatively topsy-turvy form as of late, having won three out of their last five games in all competitions – as they were eliminated from the Europa League quarter-finals after the loss to Sevilla.
Despite his side’s inconsistency, Ten Hag remains fixed with his preferred 4-3-3 shape as he believes it to be the best one to tackle the final stretch of the season. United players are tasked to press the opposition players in midfield and their own opposition box and then burst forward in numbers through counter-attacks.
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United’s playing style sees them move the ball quickly out of the backline and feed the wide areas to stretch the opposition’s backline. The wingers are often tasked to carry the ball forward into the final third, with the wing-backs joining in, with overlapping runs.
Manchester United Key Players
Fortunately for United, their best players in Rashford and Fernandes are back for this one. The English forward has been on fire with 28 goals so far this season. His movement through the wings, sheer pace and ability to find open spaces in the final third has helped him torment defenders and make a difference for United – something he’ll aim to replicate against Brighton.
Fernandes – who received the nickname of “milkman” from United supporters in 2020 – dictates their attacking moves and progresses the ball forward. His crisp final third passes and impressive delivery are vital in opening things up for United. Antony is getting better as the season draws to an end with his surging forward runs, impressive close control and finishing ability set to trouble the Seagulls.
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United will also need their other midfielders in Sabitzer and Casemiro to be more prolific in the attacking phase – with the former aiming to make good use of his free no.10 role to add more goal-scoring threat and the Brazilian midfielder creating from deep. However, with Brighton in amazing form as of late, the entire Red Devils’ backline has to maintain a really strong shape – with Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw needing to be in synch and maintain utmost concentration to frustrate Roberto de Zerbi’s side.
Manchester United Injuries to Consider
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are still out with nasty injuries, while Alejandro Garnacho and Donny van de Beek recover from their long-term knocks. Harry Maguire is suspended for this game, while Martial faces a late fitness test to make the squad.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Marcel Sabitzer, Antony, Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst.
