Manchester United begin their FA Cup campaign against Brighton this afternoon. United crashed out of the Carabao Cup second round against Grimsby Town, which means the FA Cup is their only realistic avenue for silverware this season, but Brighton will pose a challenge at Old Trafford.
Darren Fletcher will take charge of his second game as caretaker manager. The former midfielder was on the touchline against Burnley on Wednesday as United were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at Turf Moor.
United have held talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick over taking the interim job until the end of the season, but Fletcher will get the chance to oversee the Brighton game. Regarding the team news, Matthijs de Ligt remains unavailable. Harry Maguire's surprise inclusion on Wednesday night will be repeated on Sunday with Fletcher confirming the same players are available this weekend as they were at Burnley.
Here's how our writers think United should line up...
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United can't afford to make too many changes here, they need a cup run and they need the games that come with it. I would make one change at the back, with Leny Yoro getting a chance instead of Heaven, who deserves the breather after a busy run in the side.
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Casemiro is a player who could do with a rest for a different reason. He looked fatigued against Burnley and Manuel Ugarte was solid, so he can play the holding role. Kobbie Mainoo can come in with Bruno Fernandes also in midfield.
Patrick Dorgu would be unlucky to miss out but this feels like a chance to give a start to Shea Lacey, who made that electric impact off the bench in midweek. Matheus Cunha has to play again and Benjamin Sesko can build on his impact against Burnley.
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Manchester United XI to take on Brighton in the FA Cup third round(Image: )
Fletcher rolled out the 4-2-3-1 against Burnley and will stick to the plan against Brighton this weekend, but I'd make two changes from the draw in Lancashire on Wednesday night.
Ugarte emerged with credit at Turf Moor while Casemiro underperformed. The Brazilian looked in need of a rest, so I would move him to the bench and give Mainoo just his second start of the season.
Dorgu played a wonderful cross to Sesko for his second goal against Burnley, but Lacey's exciting cameo was full of promise, and I'd give the youngster his full debut on the right side. Lacey has been underutilised this season and could bring some magic to Old Trafford.
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Steven Railston's Manchester United XI to take on Brighton in the FA Cup(Image: )
United may want to take a few risks in the FA Cup. Fletcher needs to find a balance between resting some key players while keeping the team strong enough to advance.
Having been chucked in at the deep end since arriving from Belgium, there is no harm resting Senne Lammens and allowing Altay Bayindir a rare start. Bringing Luke Shaw out of the team could also be a wise move to give United the chance to try out Dorgu at left-back ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) absentees returning.
Casemiro desperately needs a rest so bringing Mainoo in to replace him allows that to happen. After praising the academy, Fletcher needs to be bold and give Lacey a start, especially when opportunities are going to be limited for the teenager ahead of Bryan Mbeumo's impending comeback next week.
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Jack Flintham's Manchester United XI vs Brighton in the FA Cup(Image: )
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