Evan Ferguson in race to be fit for trip to Old Trafford

Evan Ferguson is in a race against time to be fit for Brighton's trip to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

Ferguson, scorer of a hat-trick when Brighton beat Newcastle 3-1 in their last match, is being monitored after the 18-year-old Meathman missed Ireland's two games during the international break due to a knee injury.

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi said: "Evan Ferguson returned to training yesterday. We will see how he is this afternoon and tomorrow morning."

De Zerbi has stressed he is not taking his team to Manchester "as a tourist" as the Seagulls look to inflict another defeat on the Red Devils.

De Zerbi's men head into the contest in fine form, having won three of their opening four Premier League matches this season, scoring 12 goals.

A 1-0 victory at the Amex Stadium overseen by the Italian in May made it three successive league wins for Brighton in meetings with United.

And De Zerbi told a press conference ahead of Saturday's encounter against a United outfit who have won twice and lost twice so far this term: "It will be an honour for me to coach in this stadium but I don't go there as a tourist. We want to play in the right way and to win.

"Manchester United is still a great team in Europe. There will be a great atmosphere but our DNA is to try and play well, keeping the ball and trying to win. For sure it's a tough game but we have the quality to win and play a good game."

The contest could see Spain forward Ansu Fati make his debut after joining on loan from Barcelona on transfer deadline day.

"I want him to enjoy the game and I want to enjoy watching him," De Zerbi said.

"He has only had four or five sessions with us so I want to give him as much time as possible.

"He is a big, big talent. I have worked with him