Why Fred and Anthony Elanga start for Manchester United vs Brighton

Ralf Rangnick has brought Fred and Anthony Elanga into the Manchester United side to play Brighton as he prioritises fresh legs after three games in just over a week.

Fred returns to the side for the first time testing positive for Covid and Elanga makes his first start since the 1-0 win against West Ham in January.

Paul Pogba is one of those to make way after starting three successive games on the back of a three-month injury absence, while Marcus Rashford also drops to the bench.

"It’s a bit about fresh legs after both Paul and Marcus have played in the last couple of games, Paul coming back from a long-term injury," Rangnick told MUTV.

"Having played only three days ago that was a logical decision."

United can go back into fourth if they win tonight, with no other games taking place in the Premier League, but after three successive 1-1 draws Rangnick wants his team to put together a full performance against the Seagulls.

"It's a very significant game, but quite like the other games we have played so far," he said.

"It’s important to show our nice face, our beautiful face, it’s a bit like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, today we have to show for the whole game our beautiful face, the nice side of what we did for the last three games."

United have also been forced into a late change to their starting XI, with Victor Lindelof coming into the side in place of the ill Raphael Varane.