When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over Manchester United on an interim basis, they were eight points behind Arsenal. Now having won all six of the Premier League contests that he has been in charge, United is level with the Gunners on points and just two behind in goal differential.
Arsenal are six points behind Chelsea for the final UCL qualification slot, and with the two London sides clashing this weekend, a golden opportunity to make up ground presents itself when United host 13th place Brighton & Hove Albion. Let’s take a look at the availability and fitness situation for both sides.
United are certainly getting healthier at the right time. Winger Alexis Sanchez could start in this one after having missed the trip to Tottenham Hotspur due to his hamstring injury. He’s set to return to full training as is Chris Smalling, with his having recovered from a foot injury.
Central defender Eric Bailly is available again after having served his three-match suspension. However, Argentine defender Marcos Rojo remains a long term injury absentee.
Flipping over to the visitors, Brighton will be without goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh due to their international duty at the Asian Cup.
Elsewhere left back Bernardo (hamstring) and winger Jose Izquierdo (knee) are doubts for this one. Additionally midfielder Yves Bissouma did not feature in the loss to Liverpool last weekend due to a hip injury.
His status is also uncertain.
Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion FYIs
Kickoff: Saturday, January 19, 3:00 PM local, Old Trafford
Google Result Probability: Manchester United win 72%, Draw 19% Tottenham win 47%
Manchester United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Press Conference Video and Quotes: coming Friday
Odds via Bet Fair: Manchester United win 3/10, Draw 9/2, Brighton win 11/1
Prediction: United 3, Brighton 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.