Live Commentary - Man Utd vs Brighton

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Kick Off 2pm: Man Utd vs Brighton

Man Utd honouring all-time great Denis Law before kick-off View post

Teams: Maguire, Zirkzee and Dalot come in | Dunk, Welbeck return

Live PL table: Man Utd start day in 13th | Sky Bet

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Club news, transfers & gossip: Man Utd | Brighton

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Live commentary by Sam Blitz, with Anton Toloui and Adam Bate at Old Trafford

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Old Trafford stands to applaud Law

A poetic reading dedicated to Denis Law is read out at Old Trafford, followed by a period of applause.

Ferguson part of the Law tributes

It is a very sombre Old Trafford ahead of kick-off.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who was singing'Take Me Home, United Road' to himself just a few minutes ago, emerges onto the pitch with a host of United legends.

The legendary United manager Ferguson lays a wreath on the pitch.

All the flags at Old Trafford are at half mast, including the Scotland flag above the Sir Alex Ferguson stand.

Bagpipes lead out the two sets of players

The tributes to Manchester United legend Denis Law are continuing on the pitch.

The two teams are led out by some bagpipes, playing 'Flower of Scotland'.

Law tributes continue...

Sky Sports' Adam Bate at Old Trafford:

"“They have just played Lily the Pink, the tune that formed the basis for one of the famous terrace anthems about Denis Law. All about the King today pre-match.”

Tired Man Utd vs energetic Brighton?

Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui at Old Trafford:

"Ruben Amorim admitted Manuel Ugarte came off against Southampton on Thursday because of fatigue and the Uruguayan is in for a big shift today against an energetic Brighton midfield.

"Not only is Amorim facing the tactical problem of figuring out football's version of playing square pegs in round holes across the pitch, he knows he has to make sure the players he does trust are physically cabable of enacting his plan every match.

"Brighton's starting XI is attacking, exciting and full of running - it's clear Fabian Hurtzeler smells blood."

Team news reminder!

Ten minutes until kick-off at Old Trafford, here's a reminder of the two teams:

Man Utd: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Maguire; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Amad, Fernandes, Zirkzee

Subs: Bayindir, Martinez, Malacia, Casemiro, Collyer, Eriksen, Antony, Garnacho, Hojlund

Brighton: Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari, Joao Pedro; Minteh, Welbeck, Mitoma

Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Webster, March, Enciso, Adingra, Rutter, Gomez, McConville

Robson and Kidd pay tribute to Denis Law

Bryan Robson and Brian Kidd pay tribute to former Manchester United and Scottish star Denis Law after his passing earlier in the week.

Maguire pays tribute to Law

Harry Maguire has paid tribute to Denis Law, who passed away this week at the age of 84...

Hurzeler: Brighton want to dominate

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler:

"Too many changes are not good for the structure so it's important to find the balance.

"It's important that we try to get our style of play on the pitch, that means controlling the game but also being intense without the ball. It's also key against a team like United that you try to press and not give them time. They have the individual quality to out play you, but we want to dominate the game.

On Welbeck returning to face United with a good goal record: "It's a personal one. If it's a good feeling then I don't want to stop this feeling. I think he's feeling sharp, and it's a special feeling. Everyone is looking forward to his performance today."

Amorim: I don't feel pressure at Man Utd

Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim spoke about the high demands at the club, saying he doesn't feel the pressure and that they 'just have to win games'.

Welbeck and Pedro partnership returns

Sky Sports' Sam Blitz:

"For the first time since the end of November, Joao Pedro starts a game alongside Danny Welbeck.

"The Brazilian has largely held the line for Brighton due to Welbeck's injury but it is clear through the numbers that the Brazilian prefers playing as a No 8.

"Pedro has only scored one goal in seven matches as a centre forward - and that was his penalty against Arsenal. Meanwhile, he has four goals in eight games as an attacking midfielder, despite having more shots as a striker.

"Welbeck up front and Joao Pedro just in behind was the combination that got the latter four goals and two assists in his first six matches of the season.

"Now that combination returns - and United should be fearful of it."

Law tribute plans in detail

Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui at Old Trafford:

"Man Utd have planned a special tribute to Denis Law, one fitting for the man known as 'The King' by fans.

"The stadium will fall silent as a bagpiper will player Flower of Scotland on the pitch before a wreath is laid.

"There will then be a minute's applause and the Man Utd players and staff will all wear black armbands.

"Fans arrived early at Old Trafford to pay their personal respects, laying flowers, scarves and penning messages to their departed hero.

"Club legends including Bryan Robson, Brian Kidd and Denis Irwin are all here chatting to media and fans to make sure everyone knows just how much Law meant to so many."

Littler: I don't want Rashford to leave Man Utd

Manchester United fan Luke Littler doesn't want Marcus Rashford to leave the club, saying it would feel weird.

Was Pedro lucky not to be sent off for this challenge?

Was Brighton's Joao Pedro lucky to only receive a yellow for this challenge on Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton?

A red card would have meant a suspension for this game this afternoon at Old Trafford...

Amorim: Teams find it too easy at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim:

"We have to rotate some players because with this ind of schedule. Don't forget we played an hour with one less player for 120 minutes [against Arsenal last weekend]. I needed to make some changes, but everyone is ready.

"The best thing is to win, the feeling is so good. We needed that a lot but we need to continue to win games and improve our performance. We need to control better the possession of the ball. In that way, you can defend better. We need to create chance and control the game with the goals.

On Brighton's strengths: "The one v one speed Mitoma, Welbeck always scores here, Joao Pedro is someone who can really connect the ball.

"We have to change the environment here, because all the teams feel that it is comfortable to play here. We have to be tough on this pitch.

"Brighton have an history playing together and you can feel some things with this manager, some things with the last manager, you feel the connection between them - it's different from us.

"But we play with our fans, but we need a lot of things to improve to play a better game."

LAST TIME OUT: Brighton end winless run at Ipswich

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Brighton’s win against Ipswich in the Premier League.

PL Predictions: United to start slow again?

Ruben Amorim's team are a bag of nerves in matches - the manager has even mentioned this and playing at home isn't helping them.

This lack of conviction and ability to put their stamp on games is leading to very slow starts made by United, who allowed the worst team in the league on Thursday in Southampton to have a nice time at Old Trafford in the first half.

It means United have now not scored in their last seven first halves of football and if you stretch it back further, they've not scored in 15 of their last 19 first halves. The 0-0 half-time correct score at 9/4 with Sky Bet has a chance.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1

Premier League Predictions and best bets: Everton to pile pressure on Ange Postecoglou

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Maguire pays tribute to Denis Law

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire:

"He meant so much to everybody at the club, one of the greatest players to ever play for this club. I didn't really get the privilege to see him play but I heard so many good things about him, not just as a footballer but as a person.

"I'm sure the fans and the players will do tribute to him today. It's a sad time for us this week hearing of the passing of a great man and a legend for this club."

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