Why Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi could miss Manchester United fixture

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi could be missing from the touchline when Manchester United visit the Amex Stadium tomorrow evening.

The Italian, who was appointed as Graham Potter's successor back in September, cancelled his pre-match press conference scheduled for Wednesday afternoon a few hours earlier. It is understood that he is ill and is currently recovering at home.

According to various reports elsewhere, it remains unclear whether or not he will be well enough to oversee his side's clash with United. Brighton, at the time of writing, are yet to offer any comment on whether or not he could be present.

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In the event of him missing out, assistant boss and housemate Andrea Maldera is expected to take charge. He is believed to have overseen training at the Seagulls' training ground on Wednesday.

De Zerbi, who has overseen an outstanding job since taking over on the south coast, has twice been absent from the dugout already this season because of touchline bans, missing the 4-0 win over West Ham United in the Premier League and the 5-0 triumph over Grimsby Town in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, both back in March.

Should he be absent again against United, albeit for a different reason, he will have complete trust and faith in Maldera that he can lead his side to another positive result. The duo have a very close bond and De Zerbi has previously hailed his importance.

"Andrea is a very important assistant for me," said De Zerbi. We are living together.

"We stay together from 8.30am in the morning until 10:00pm in the evening. We are like a family."