Man United vs Brighton line-up prediction: Maguire and Mainoo back in business

In partnership with

The Peoples Person

·9 Januari 2026

Man United vs Brighton line-up prediction: Maguire and Mainoo back in business

Darren Fletcher has the luxury of making difficult choices when it comes to naming his Manchester United side for their FA Cup third round clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Fletcher welcomed four injured stars – Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount – back for Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Burnley, and all four will have a few more days’ training behind them as they continue their rehabilitation to full fitness.

Video OneFootball

Bryan Mbeumo could also be available after his Cameroon side were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations by Noussair Mazraoui’s Morocco. However, Fletcher said at the pre-match press conference that the turnaround is too quick to make selection practical.

A 4-2-3-1 formation is once again expected as the Scotsman continues to erase the memory of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 from United fans’ minds.

Defence

The excellent Senne Lammens will be in goal.

Fletcher was asked at the press conference about Harry Maguire’s reintegration and he hinted he would be given minutes. Whether this is from the bench or in the starting XI remains to be seen.

Given that Ayden Heaven was substituted on Wednesday and that his replacement, Leny Yoro, has not been in the best of form, we suspect Maguire will get the nod to start alongside Lisandro Martinez and will get an hour of action. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw will be the full-backs, if fit.

Matthijs de Ligt is still injured, while Mazraoui, as mentioned, remains at AFCON.

Midfield and Attack

Fletcher would be making a big statement by starting Kobbie Mainoo, and his comments at the press conference about the academy heritage suggest he will do just that. Whether it will be for Manuel Ugarte or Casemiro remains to be seen. Ugarte has been the better of the pair in recent games, but the Brazilian has a lot of respect and will probably get the nod.

Bruno Fernandes will no doubt play in the number 10 role.

Having scored a brace on Wednesday, Ben Sesko is a shoo-in to start at centre-forward. The two wingers will most likely be Mateus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu again, although Mount is an option. Shea Lacey’s fine cameo might have earned him a place, but it seems more likely he’ll get more minutes from the bench.

Josh Zirkzee is another option. Fletcher might be wise to put Mbeumo on the bench in case a last-minute goal, extra time and/or penalties are needed, regardless of the air miles he has clocked up over the weekend.