Brighton vs Man Utd LIVE: Result and reaction from Premier League clash as Mac Allister scores late penalty

If Brighton avoid defeat they will surpass their club record of 52 points in a top-flight season, set during a 42-game campaign in 1981/82.

They have won seven of their last nine home matches in all competitions.

Roberto De Zerbi makes four changes to the Brighton side that hammered Wolves last time out. Moises Caicedo, Kaoru Mitoma, Facundo Buonanotte and Alexis Mac Allister all return with Joel Veltman, Pascal Gross, Solly March and Deniz Undav dropping out.

Erik ten Hag also makes four changes to his Man Utd side. Aaron Wan-Bissaka returns in defence with Fred slotting in alongside Casemiro in midfield. Antony starts on the right with Anthony Martial up front.

Brighton XI: Steele; Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Gilmour, Caicedo; Mac Allister, Mitoma, Buonanotte, Enciso; Welbeck

Man Utd XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial

There was Norwich City. There was Southampton and Hull City. There was even - spectacularly - Leicester City, for a period: clubs punching above their weight by buying well, developing players and producing impactful individuals who Champions League-level teams would inevitably look to spend big on.

Each of those have found that it only takes a couple too many sales or a summer of failing to reinvest well to fall away from their upward arc. At times it’s not even that; just a year or two of not selling at the right time to maximise income and renewal opportunities can prove costly.

But the latest club who have risen on the back of some magnificent recruitment and coaching work look to be set not only with the current crop, but the next batch too: Brighton and Hove Albion, a side flying this season and looking well-prepared for a shot at European football next term.

Currently sat in eighth, the Seagulls are potentially in something of a false position; heading into Thursday’s game against Manchester United they have three matches in hand on each of Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham above them. Two wins from those and they’d be in sixth at worst, a Europa League spot within reach.

Danny Welbeck also spoke about how Brighton picked themselves up after losing the FA Cup semi-final to Manchester United and what they hope to achieve against his old club tonight.

“It wasn’t easy to pick ourselves up after Wembley,” admitted Welbeck. “But there is no time to feel sorry for yourself - that’s not going to get you anywhere.

“There was a little bit of a hangover last midweek against Forest. So, it was important that we got the right result on Saturday and set us up for the rest of the season.

“I am looking forward to Thursday. They have got some amazing players, so you’ve got to be ready at all times when you play them. We will prepare the same way and we’ll try and put things right in front of our fans.”

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi made five changes to his starting XI ahead of the Seagulls’ 6-0 battering over Wolves last time out and striker Danny Welbeck praised his manager’s focus on all the players within the squad.

“That’s one of the best things about the manager,” said Welbeck. “He doesn’t just focus on the starting team throughout the season, he makes sure everyone is ready.

“Whoever steps onto the pitch know they have a job to do and the whole team know what they and every single player should be doing. That’s a credit to him. He is so good at making sure we are all ready and well prepared during training sessions.

“Credit to the boys, everyone has bought into his style. He’s a special man. He keeps everyone motivated and on their toes, wanting to be better and improve. He’s doing an unbelievable job.”

Erik ten Hag is in the dark over Manchester United’s summer spending power as the takeover saga rumbles on.

The Old Trafford giants announced in November that the board was exploring strategic alternatives to enhance the club’s growth, with a full sale one option being considered.

Friday was the third, and what is expected to be final, deadline for parties to make offers to buy the club, with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe both submitting bids.

Now the the Glazer family must decide how they want to proceed – a process that threatens to damage the progress made during Ten Hag’s first season in charge.

Brighton are aiming to win three league games in a row against Manchester United for the first time. They managed just three victories in the first 17 top-flight meetings.

Manchester United have lost three of their five Premier League games at the Amex Stadium.

Earlier this week Manchester United unveiled a new statue of Jimmy Murphy, the influential manager, assistant, coach and scout who helped rebuild the club following the Munich Air Disaster.

Current boss, Erik ten Hag was asked about how much he knew about Murphy and what it means that a statue of him has been unveiled.

“I think it’s very good that the club gives so much honour and recognition to a main person in the history of Manchester United.” said Ten Hag in reply,

“It’s about [the fact] he stands for more symbols. [He is a] symbol of youth development. He stands for resilience and determination and they are the standards for Manchester United. It’s driven by this person after the Munich [Air Disaster].

“The club was devastated. They bounced back and this person played a main role. It is totally deserved he gets honour for this and the club is doing that with the Jimmy Murphy Centre, the Jimmy Murphy Player of the Year [award] and now a statue. It’s fantastic.”

Manchester United’s visit to the Amex Stadium is the first of seven games in May which will determine whether Brighton will be playing European football next season.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi believes his team can get themselves into contention to compete for the European places but need to keep winning games.

“For sure we have to win [games] because by losing we can’t achieve.” he said “We have to play every game like it is the last game in our life because for us, for the club, for our fans it can be a historical result.”