Manchester United will face Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium today, hoping to bounce back from their midweek disappointment in the Europa League and book their place in the final of the world’s oldest cup competition.
The Seagulls are known for their defensive organization and resilience and have shown their quality in the FA Cup this season, knocking out Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur and holding off a late comeback from League One side Blackpool in the quarter-finals. However, United will be determined to end their four-year trophy drought and will look to put in a commanding performance against Brighton.
One significant blow for United is the absence of Harry Maguire due to suspension, who has been a mainstay in the Red Devils’ backline this season. Luke Shaw is expected to play as a makeshift center-back alongside Victor Lindelof, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot continuing in their respective full-back positions.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are likely to start as the midfield pairing for the third straight game, controlling the tempo of the game. In attack, Marcus Rashford could replace Jadon Sancho on the left wing, with Antony expected to retain his spot on the right flank. There may also be a change in the striker position, with Wout Weghorst leading the line instead of the injured Antony Martial.
Martial sustained a painful knock to his knee in the midweek match against Sevilla and is doubtful to feature against Brighton. This could be a significant blow for United, as the Frenchman has been in good form in recent weeks and has formed a good partnership with Rashford and Bruno Fernandes in the attack.
David de Gea, who had a difficult outing against Sevilla, will be hoping for a better performance in goal for United. The Spanish shot-stopper has been in good form this season, but he will need to be at his best against a stubborn Brighton side.
In conclusion
the FA Cup semZ-final clash between Manchester United and Brighton promises to be a closely contested affair. The Red Devils will need to put in a commanding performance to book their place in the final, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping that his players can rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters the most.
