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Manchester United have four players who need dropping for Brighton Premier League clash
Manchester United will face off against Brighton in their Premier League showdown on Sunday.
Man Utd: Solskjaer defends decision to bench Bruno
Manchester United go up against Brighton on Sunday looking to bounce back. After their 3-1 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium before the international break, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to tinker with his side. So here are four players that need dropping for the match at Old Trafford.
Anthony Martial
Solskjaer was coy on the fitness of Anthony Martial when quizzed on Friday, saying: “I don't know about Anthony, he didn't join in training this morning but Marcus and Mason trained for the first time this morning and hopefully they can get through that with no reaction.
“And if they complete the selection tomorrow they might be available for selection.”
Yet if Martial is fit, United should still bench him regardless.
The France international has misfired this season and, against Leicester, cut an anonymous figure on the left wing.
If he can’t produce between now and the end of the campaign, then he may even be sold in this summer’s transfer window.
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Alex Telles
Alex Telles started the match against Leicester.
But the Brazil international endured a difficult afternoon before being replaced by Luke Shaw with around a third of the match remaining.
With Shaw excelling this season, Telles should be taken out of the side.
And that’s because United are far better with the former Southampton defender than they are with the Brazil international.
Therefore, Telles is expected to be demoted.
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Nemanja Matic
Though Fred was poor against Leicester, it was a match that highlighted just how much Nemanja Matic is on the wane.
There’s no denying the Serbia international has been a good asset at Old Trafford ever since his arrival from Chelsea in 2017.
But Matic was dire against the Foxes, cutting a slow and turgid figure as he was outran by the likes of Wilfred Ndidi and Youri Tielemans in the middle of the park.
United should select Scott McTominay against Brighton instead.
The Scotland international has come on leaps and bounds under Solskjaer - and deserves to start almost every game.
Donny van de Beek
United raised eyebrows with their decision to bench Bruno Fernandes for the defeat to Leicester.
Donny van de Beek started instead of the Portugal international but, despite a neat assist for Mason Greenwood, was poor.
The Dutchman looks out of his depth at Old Trafford, despite the obvious talent he possesses.
And United can’t afford to leave Fernandes out again.
If they do, they may just find themselves slipping to another disappointing defeat.
Solskjaer gives Brighton verdict
Speaking on Friday, Solskjaer admitted he was impressed by the way Brighton play under Graham Potter.
“Since I came, we’ve played them quite a few times,” he said.
“We’ve always had some hard-fought games, difficult games.
“As I said here, to our local channel MUTV as well, when you prepare for a game against Brighton, you can see all our players with wide eyes.
“We really respect the way they play and the quality that they’ve had against us.
“We have to be on our best to earn the right to play, because you have to work really hard to get the ball off them.”