{"id":555879,"date":"2020-06-30T00:00:44","date_gmt":"2020-06-30T04:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=555879"},"modified":"2020-06-29T14:59:11","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T18:59:11","slug":"manchester-united-look-to-close-gap-on-top-four-in-brighton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/06\/30\/manchester-united-look-to-close-gap-on-top-four-in-brighton\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester United Look to Close Gap on Top Four in Brighton"},"content":{"rendered":"

Manchester United<\/a> travel to Brighton<\/a> on Tuesday, with both teams looking to continue their unbeaten runs since the Premier League<\/a> restarted.<\/p>\n

Manchester United Look to Close Gap on Top Four<\/h2>\n

Head to Head<\/h3>\n

In the reverse fixture which was played in November, United ran out victorious with a 3-1 win at Old Trafford. United were 2-0 up inside 20 minutes thanks to goals from Andreas Pereira<\/a> and Scott McTominay<\/a>. Brighton were given hope midway through the second half through a Lewis Dunk<\/a> goal. However, this hope didn’t last long with Marcus Rashford<\/a> scoring two minutes later to put the game to bed.<\/p>\n

Both teams have picked up four points since the restart. United draw against Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> in their first game back, before blowing away<\/a> Sheffield United<\/a> thanks to an Anthony Martial hat-trick.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, in their first game, Brighton came from 1-0 down to beat Arsenal<\/a> 2-1<\/a> before travelling to Leicester<\/a> to play out a goalless draw.<\/p>\n

What Would a Win Do for Both Teams?<\/h3>\n

United will move back above Wolves<\/a> into fifth with a win and will move two points behind Chelsea<\/a> who sit in fourth. However Chelsea will be able to extend it back to five points with a win against strugglers West Ham United<\/a> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Brighton sit 15th in the Premier League on 33 points. They’re not officially safe from relegation yet and with them still having to play Manchester City<\/a> and champions Liverpool<\/a>, they will not take anything for granted with seven games to go.<\/p>\n

Team News<\/h3>\n

United will almost have a fully fit squad going into this one. They made eight changes for the FA Cup quarter-final win<\/a> against Norwich<\/a> last Saturday and so players who started on the bench for that game are likely to start in this game.<\/p>\n

The only players missing will be Axel Tuanzebe<\/a> and Phil Jones<\/a> who remain sidelined due to injury. Angel Gomes<\/a> is available to play, however with his contract up on Wednesday and rumours that he is unlikely to sign a new deal<\/a>, he is unlikely to play in this one.<\/p>\n

Brighton manager Graham Potter has confirmed that Jose Izquierdo<\/a> will miss out, but a decision has yet to be made on Adam Webster<\/a>. Long-term absentee Steven Alzate<\/a> remains out with a groin injury, however, Tariq Lamptey<\/a> will be available despite picking up a facial injury against Leicester.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>