Two debutants will be key if Manchester United are to break Brighton curse

International breaks tend to be dull but peaceful affairs from a club perspective. A time to relax and reflect. Take some time off, assess the season so far and begin plans to improve. A rare tranquil stoppage amid a chaotic season. Yet, this time around, it has been anything but for Manchester United.

When Erik ten Hag speaks to the press again on Friday morning, he's bound to be inundated with questions on Jadon Sancho, Antony and Harry Maguire before attentions even turn to Saturday's game.

All this comes at a time when United have endured a deflating start to the campaign. The two victories were unconvincing against relegation contenders and when facing teams of a similar calibre they were twice beaten. Even in the victories, United have been flat and uninspiring going forward, frail at the back and disjointed throughout.

Who's up next? Well, only a team perfectly capable of taking advantage of all those shortcomings and one which is quickly becoming a bogeyman around Old Trafford. Brighton and Hove Albion.

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The Seagulls continue to fly high above their station and are proving this season they are no flash in the pan. Who knows how lofty the perch they eventually land on could be? They have won three of their four opening games to the tune of 11 goals scored, just one conceded, and in Evan Ferguson have unearthed the latest player they will inevitably eventually fetch £100m for.

Crucially ahead of Saturday, they've had United's number over the last 18 months. Brighton have won the last three Premier League meetings by an aggregate of 7-1 and it took a penalty shoot-out for United to get past them in the FA Cup semi-final last season.

Manchester City aside,