Man Utd team news: Predicted Man Utd line up vs Brighton – Lukaku returns, six injured

Manchester United are still without a large number of first-team squad players ahead of their second Premier League match of the season against Brighton.

Manager Jose Mourinho will be without six stars for the trip to the south coast, although Romelu Lukaku and Ashley Young could earn their first starts since the World Cup.

United got their campaign off to a solid start with a on Friday night, and Luke Shaw is expected to feature again after scoring the winner at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, both Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones are available but may have to be content with spots on the bench against the Seagulls.

Antonio Valencia remains sidelined after , while Diogo Dalot is still recovering from a knee problem.

Marcos Rojo, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera and Sergio Romero are also expected to miss Sunday’s clash, while Anthony Martial may have to watch on from the bench yet again.

He is set to be joined by Marcus Rashford, with the England international most likely to make way for the return of Lukaku.

Like Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini made an early return to action against Leicester and provides competition for Fred and Andreas Pereira in midfield.

GK – David De Gea

The Spaniard will have been disappointed not to start the season with a clean sheet after Jamie Vardy’s late consolation at Old Trafford last week.

RB – Ashley Young

Young is expected to come back into the starting XI against Brighton having watched the win over the Foxes from the bench.

Valencia remains sidelined so the England international should replace Matteo Darmian at right-back following a return to full fitness after his summer break.

CB – Eric Bailly

Ivorian centre-back Bailly has emerged as United’s current first-choice with Mourinho juggling numerous injuries and absences.

Chris Smalling and Jones are both now available but not expected to start.

CB – Victor Lindelof

The 24-year-old acquitted himself well against Leicester and is looking to forge a partnership with Bailly.

LB – Luke Shaw

Shaw popped up with the winner at Old Trafford last week and has done enough to merit another outing against the Seagulls.

Darmian’s struggles on the other flank have negated the need for Mourinho to choose between Shaw and the returning Young at left-back.

CM – Fred

The Brazilian midfielder made his debut for the Red Devils last week and did not look out of place.

United supporters will be keen to see how the summer signing dovetails with Pogba throughout the campaign, although a recall for Fellaini could limit his game time.

CM – Andreas Pereira

Matic and Herrera are both expected to miss the trip to the South Coast, meaning another chance for Pereira to impress.

The 22-year-old has been on the fringes of the first team at Old Trafford for several seasons but finally looks set to make his breakthrough.

CM – Paul Pogba

Pogba was thrown straight back into the action last week despite just a few days of pre-season training.

The Frenchman hit the ground running with a penalty after three minutes and a dominant performance which bodes well for the upcoming campaign.

RAM – Juan Mata

The Spaniard is now a firm favourite of Mourinho, having got on the wrong side of the Portuguese boss during their time at Chelsea together.

Lingard is back after his World Cup exploits but may have to be content with a place on the bench if the experienced Mata continues out wide.

LAM – Alexis Sanchez

A lot is expected of Sanchez this season after six months acclimatising to life at Old Trafford.

The Chilean led the line in pre-season but should provide more of a threat cutting in from the left.

ST – Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku is set for his first start of the season after getting up to speed following Belgium’s World Cup campaign.

The return of the 25-year-old, who came on as a substitute against Leicester, will likely see Rashford drop to the bench.