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Erik ten Hag's Manchester United pre-match press conference vs Brighton: What to look out for & what time it is

Erik ten Hag's Manchester United pre-match press conference vs Brighton: What to look out for & what time it is

All the details you need ahead of Ten Hag's pre-match press conference for his first Premier League game.

Erik ten Hag will speak to the media ahead of Manchester United's Premier League opener on Sunday, where there will be several topics which could be brought up.

Following an overly positive pre-season camp, Ten Hag's men will now step on the big stage against Brighton, where they'll host the side that beat Ralf Rangnick's side 4-0 just three months ago.

There have been many visible improvements under the new management since then, but there is still a way to go as the season gets ahead.

Ten Hag's pre-match press conference coverage is due to begin at 13:30 BST and you can watch it live on the United App or keep up-to-date by following UtdDistrict's Twitter account here.

With many questions in the air ahead of the fixture, here are three of the main things that could be discussed by the Dutchman in his first official pre-match press conference for the club.


Who is no.9?

Following news that Anthony Martial will not be available for the clash - which is likely to be clarified by the man in charge - it begs the question: who will start upfront on Sunday?

The manager will likely be asked about the condition of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the only senior alternative, after claiming he was "definitely not on the level" of his teammates fitness wise earlier this week.

He will also be quizzed on other alternatives, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga the other two players who could appear through the centre.


How ready is Sancho?

United's best player on Tour 2022, Jadon Sancho missed out on the last two games through illness last week. It has been reported that he's back in training and there will likely be questioning on United's no.25.

We could find out about his fitness status following the illness, but also Ten Hag could be asked about the importance of the 22-year-old and, in turn, the lack of squad depth in the front line.

Manchester United

The two weakest performances of pre-season came whilst Sancho was unavailable. Ten Hag has a dilemma this campaign: who he should choose as Sancho's understudy/back-up.


Will new signings be involved?

The most interesting topic ahead of the Premier League opener is whether Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia or Lisandro Martinez will start against Graham Potter's men.

Martinez and Eriksen came off after around 60 minutes against Rayo Vallecano. Meanwhile Malacia started the game in Oslo, while Luke Shaw missed both of the back-to-back fixtures.

That bodes well for the assumption that these players might be involved on Sunday, but there will be questions asked, mainly about the former two, about whether they are fully match-fit and able to start a league fixture.

You would imagine that a space in the team is more likely for the Argentinian centre-back, who looks like United's number one choice at left centre-back.

Alamy

However, Shaw has been sighted in training this week and is likely a safer option than Malacia, despite having a real positive individual performance against Atletico Madrid.

Eriksen also has a tougher job, with Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek also keen to start in that right centre-midfield role, and Bruno Fernandes solidified in the no.10 position.

Ten Hag's answers in the presser could indicate to which new signings, if any, will be involved against Brighton.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Brighton And Hove Albion, Football, Erik Ten Hag, Anthony Martial, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia