EPL: Man United v Brighton – what stats say

Manchester United will be opening a top-flight season against Brighton and Hove Albion for the first time in their history, while this is just their second league clash in the month of August after a 3-2 defeat at the Amex in 2018.

📋 Erik’s given the latest on our squad ahead of #MUNBHA… #MUFC || #PL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2022

Brighton and Hove Albion have lost six of their last seven Premier League games against Man Utd but did win last time out in May 2022 (4-0) – only versus Man City (9) have the Seagulls lost more Premier League contests than versus Man Utd (7).

All set for the new campaign 🔳🔲

🎯 @ChrisEriksen8#MUFC || #MUNBHA

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 6, 2022

Brighton have never won away against Manchester United in all competitions (D2 L12), losing each of their last eight visits to Old Trafford to face the Red Devils.

Manchester United have won their opening Premier League match in 10 of the last 13 seasons (L3), winning 5-1 against Leeds United last season. The Red Devils ended 2021-22 with a defeat – they’ve not lost their last game of one season, and first game of the next since 1973.

None of Brighton’s opening Premier League matches in their five seasons in the competition have finished level (W2 L3), with their two wins coming against sides who would be relegated at the end of the season – a 3-0 win over Watford in 2019-20 and 2-1 win against Burnley last season.

Manchester United have lost four of their last six Premier League games (W1 D1), more than they had in their previous 20 (W10 D7 L3). They lost their last two in 2021-22, last losing three consecutive league games in December 2015.

After losing six consecutive league games in February/March, Brighton have lost just one of their last nine (W5 D3). Only Liverpool (23), Manchester City (23) and Tottenham (20) earned more Premier League points in April and May last season than the Seagulls (18).

Another day closer to the season. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/mo34pf4Jal

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 3, 2022

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Erik ten Hag will be the eighth manager (including caretakers) to take charge of Manchester United in the nine years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Six of the previous seven in that time have won their first ever match in charge of the Red Devils, with Louis van Gaal the only exception (1-2 v Swansea).

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has been involved in six goals in his five Premier League appearances against Brighton (four goals, two assists) – only against Leeds (8) has the Portuguese been involved in more.

Brighton’s Pascal Groß has scored more Premier League goals against Manchester United than he has any other opponent (four). He’s scored in all three of Brighton’s Premier League victories against the Red Devils, netting the winning goal on two occasions.