Manchester United’s home meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup third round on Sunday is an intriguing encounter between two sides that tend to produce high-scoring games.
Date: 11/01/2025Kick-off: 4:30pmLocation: Old Trafford, Stretford
The fixture comes with an added layer of intrigue in the home dugout as Darren Fletcher continues in interim charge after being asked to lead the team for this tie. The Seagulls have won three of their last four league visits to Old Trafford, underlining that this is no straightforward assignment despite the cup pedigree of the hosts.
United’s recent form underlines both their attacking threat and their defensive vulnerability. Fletcher’s first game in charge ended in a 2–2 draw away to Burnley in midweek, a match in which United registered around 30 shots, saw a goal‑line clearance and a disallowed effort, but still conceded twice and had to settle for a point. Across their last five competitive fixtures in all competitions, a run of DDWLD has emerged, pointing to just one win, three draws and one defeat, with United scoring in every outing but repeatedly allowing opponents back into games.
In the Premier League 2025-26, United sit among the division’s highest over-2.5 sides, with 17 of their 20 league matches (85%) producing at least three goals, and an especially striking 100% over‑2.5 record away and 70% at Old Trafford. BTTS has been a frequent feature as well, given their tendency to combine relatively efficient attacking play with lapses at the back, and the 2–2 at Burnley was entirely in keeping with that profile.
Brighton, meanwhile, have seen over‑2.5 goals occur in the Premier League in 18 out of 20 matches (90%), putting them near the top of the league for goals‑rich games, with that 90% split holding both at home and away. Their recent form line of WDLDL over the last five competitive matches illustrates the balance between a capable attack and a defence that offers opponents regular chances, with the Seagulls both scoring and conceding in most of those fixtures.
At Old Trafford, Brighton’s recent Premier League record (three wins in their last four visits before a 4-2 defeat earlier this season) shows that they are a very difficult proposition for the Red Devils, and a Man United team in flux could struggle with the Seagulls’ well-rehearsed, clearly defined style of play.
Overall, Brighton’s attacking metrics, away xG profile and recent Old Trafford record in the league all indicate that the visitors are capable of turning this into another open cup tie that favours their more coherent tactical structure under Fabian Hurtzeler.
Man United 1-2 Brighton