Match preview: Brighton v Manchester United

Manager Chris Hughton during the pre-season friendly at the AMEX Stadium Credit: Steven Paston/PA

By Oliver Birch

Brighton face a tough test on Sunday afternoon as they host Manchester United at the Amex Stadium.

The Seagulls will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing showing in their 2-0 defeat to Watford last weekend, in a match where they rarely threatened the home side.

United saw off Leicester City in their opening match of the season, with goals from Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw helping Jose Mourinho's side to a 2-1 victory after Jamie Vardy had pulled one back late on.

Brighton secured their Premier League safety with a 1-0 victory against United last season, with Pascal Gross' header just creeping over the line to send the Amex into raptures at the final whistle.

Chris Hughton is likely to hand record signing Alirezah Jahanbakhsh his first start after the winger made his debut from the bench against Watford, though Bruno (hamstring) and Florin Andone (groin) are both sidelined.

Jose Izquierdo, who is not back to match fitness after the World Cup, will not feature, although deadline day arrival Martin Montoya is available.

Nemanja Matic (chest), Antonio Valencia (calf), Sergio Romero (knee) and new signing Diogo Dalot (knee) will all miss the trip to the Amex, while Ander Herrera (hamstring) is also set to miss out. Mourinho may have Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones available.

Brighton's victory over United last season was their first win against the Red Devils in 36 years, and the Seagulls could record back-to-back wins against United for the first time in their history on Sunday.

Credit: ITV Meridian

Gross has registered three goals and three assists in his last seven games at the Amex, including the winner the last time these two sides met.

Romelu Lukaku has scored against 17 of the 20 clubs in the Premier League but has never found the back of the net against Brighton.

The Seagulls were unbeaten in the four home games they played on a Sunday last season, winning two and drawing two, while United have lost four of their last five playing away from home on a Sunday.

Mourinho will become the first United manager in history to win the opening two games of a season in each of his first three season's with victory over Brighton.

Kick Off: 16:00, 19/08/2017 Venue: Amex Stadium