Michael Owen makes bold Manchester United prediction ahead of Brighton

Former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen believes Manchester United's threat on the counter attack could cause Brighton problems at Old Trafford this Sunday
Former Liverpool and Man United striker Michael Owen gives his verdict ahead of Sunday's clash at Old TraffordFormer Liverpool and Man United striker Michael Owen gives his verdict ahead of Sunday's clash at Old Trafford
Former Liverpool and Man United striker Michael Owen gives his verdict ahead of Sunday's clash at Old Trafford

United however could be without the attacking threats of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood who are doubts for Manchester United’s return to Premier League action against Graham Potter's Brighton.

Martial missed training on Friday with a reported knee issue picked up on France duty, but Rashford and Greenwood’s chances look more positive after they trained having pulled out of England squads.

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Victor Lindelof also missed training with an ongoing back complaint, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to confirm whether David De Gea or Dean Henderson will start in goal on Sunday.

Owen feels United have made good progress this season and has been impressed with their counter attacking style.

"If you were to have offered Ole Gunnar Solkjaer second spot in the Premier League this time last year, I’m pretty sure he’d have bitten your hand off," Owen wrote in his BetVictor predictions blog."A lot of that goes down to the Red Devils magnificent away form, although they’ve definitely made improvements at home as well.

"Brighton have looked good on the eye on occasion this season, however, they’ve simply not put enough points on the board.

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"The Seagulls like to play on the front foot, and if they have a go at United here, I think the hosts could pick them off on the counter. It’s 1-0 for United for me."

Brighton are hopeful Aaron Connolly will be available as the striker trained on Friday despite heavy bruising on his foot.

Adam Webster could return from an ankle injury against Everton next week but the trip to Old Trafford comes too soon, while Percy Tau is now quarantining after featuring for South Africa during the international break.

Dan Burn is also out with a hamstring problem and Tariq Lamptey and Solly March remain on the sidelines.

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Manchester United provisional squad: De Gea, Henderson, Grant, Wan-Bissaka, Williams, Lindelof, Maguire, Bailly, Tuanzebe, Shaw, Telles, Fred, Matic, McTominay, Pogba, Van De Beek, Mejbri, Diallo, Fernandes, James, Greenwood, Rashford, Martial, Cavani.

Brighton provisional squad: Sanchez, Veltman, White, Dunk, Burn, Gross, Bissouma, Mac Allister, Trossard, Lallana, Maupay, Moder, Jahanbakhsh, Alzate, Welbeck, Izquierdo, Steele, Propper, Zeqiri, Connolly.