Manchester United v Brighton: Teams announced with Pogba & Rashford dropped

Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford have been dropped for Manchester United’s Premier League game against Brighton & Hove Albion.

The pair have been replaced by Fred and Anthony Elanga in the starting line-up, with Pogba and Rashford dropping to the bench.

That means David De Gea starts in nets, ahead of a back four of Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.

Fred returns after he recently recovered from Covid-19 and Pogba’s omission is no surprise given he’s started three games in a row since recovering from a long-term injury.

Scott McTominay will anchor the midfield alongside Fred, while Bruno Fernandes will play in the more advanced areas.

Up front, Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping to end his lean spell in front of goal, with Elanga and Jadon Sancho in the wide areas.

As for Brighton, it’s three changes, with Yves Bissouma, Alexis Mac Allister and Leandro Trossard starting. Former Red Devil Danny Welbeck is on the bench, as is reported United target Tariq Lamptey.

The Seagulls head into the game in ninth place and could move above Tottenham Hotspur with a win.

As for the hosts, Ralf Rangnick’s side are fifth in the able and three points for United would see them leapfrog West Ham United into the Champions League spots.

Teams in full

Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred, Fernandes; Sancho, Ronaldo, Elanga.

Substitutes: Henderson, Lindelof, Jones, Wan-Bissaka, Telles, Pogba, Mata, Lingard, Rashford.

Brighton & Hove Albion: Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Webster, Cucurella; Bissouma, Gross, MacAllister; Moder, Maupay, Trossard.

Substitutes: Steele, Duffy, Lamptey, March, Alzate, Lallana, Welbeck, Ferguson, Caicedo.