Fred and Elanga to start - Manchester United predicted line-up to face Brighton

Manchester United could welcome Fred back into the starting XI when they take on Brighton on Tuesday.

Ralf Rangnick's side are desperate to return to winning ways as they gave up valuable ground in the race for top four with successive 1-1 draws with Burnley and Southampton last week.

In each game, as well as the FA Cup elimination to Championship side Middlesbrough, United took the lead in the opening half only to switch off after the break and allow their opponents to fight back.

Brighton won't be an easy match, either, with the Seagulls in good form having not lost in their last seven Premier League outings.

United will at least be boosted by the return of Fred after he missed the last two games due to testing positive for Covid-19 and, as long as he has no fitness concerns following his bout of the virus, he could come straight into the starting XI at the base of the midfield.

The Brazilian has not yet played with Paul Pogba since his return to the side and Rangnick may want to see how the more defensively minded Fred works alongside the Frenchman rather than Scott McTominay.

The interim manager may also be tempted to make a change at the back by replacing the hopelessly-out-of-form Harry Maguire and bringing in Victor Lindelof to partner Raphael Varane after he returned to the team on Saturday after a period of time off after his house was broken into while his family were inside.

The full-back duo of Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw will likely remain as well as Bruno Fernandes in attacking midfield and, with Edinson Cavani ruled out, Cristiano Ronaldo upfront.

Jadon Sancho is also almost guaranteed to keep his spot on the flank as he has been the one bright spark of United in recent weeks, but Marcus Rashford may drop