Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has warned of an ongoing 'rollercoaster' as the team looks to rebuild.
WHO: Manchester United vs Brighton
What: English Premier League
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom
When: 2pm (16:00 GMT) Sunday
Follow Al Jazeera's live coverage followed by our coverage and photos of the match.
Ruben Amorim has warned that Manchester United's season will continue to be a “rollercoaster” as the players learn to adapt to his style after their 3-1 win over Southampton.
Premier League bottom club Southampton were close to a shock victory at Old Trafford on Thursday before Amad Diallo scored a 12th-minute hat-trick to turn the game on its head.
A fierce battle ensued 2-2 with Liverpool and an encouraging FA Cup win against Arsenal.
Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag who was sacked in November, has previously warned of a “storm to come” ahead of six defeats in eight games.
At 22 years and 189 days, Amad has become Man Utd's youngest player to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford in the Premier League ✨ pic.twitter.com/Bmd1a6CXfd
– Premier League (@premierleague) January 16, 2025
The 39-year-old Portuguese captain has predicted chaos after the showdown against struggling Saints. Despite the win, United, who host Brighton on Sunday, remain 12th in the Premier League table.
“I think it will be difficult until the end of the season,” Amorim said. “It will be a bit of a rollercoaster. So it depends on when you have to train. We are still in the (FA) Cup and we have the UEFA Europa League games.
“So it's important to look again next Thursday (when Scottish giants Rangers visit Old Trafford) to win and try to be in the top eight.”
He said: “We had seven training sessions in 14, 15 games. It's difficult, but we have to continue and try to win.” Sometimes playing well, sometimes playing badly.”
Man of the moment 🏆⚽️
🫶 @Amaddiallo_19 #MUFC | | #MUNSO pic.twitter.com/5YTq79IL6U
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 16, 2025
Amorim admitted that his side did not play well against Southampton and pointed out that several players were tired, including Manuel Ugarte, whose goal late in the first half put the visitors ahead.
“You (journalists) focus on what I said about Ugarte,” he said. “Ugarte was tired because he did a good job against Liverpool.
“If you look at the game against Arsenal, maybe Ugarte and Bruno (Fernandes) were the best players against Liverpool.
“He didn't play with Newcastle. I think that happens with all the players in the Premier League.”
Manchester United team news
Diogo Dalot returns from a one-match ban, but Mason Mount and Luke Shaw remain out through injury.
Midfielders could give Amorim some rest with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte both substituted against Southampton due to fatigue.
Brighton team news
Former Manchester City striker James Milner has been ruled out through injury. Ferdi Kadioglu is also without a knock, but Georginio Rutter could return to the starting XI after producing goalscoring form at Ipswich.
Head to head
Brighton will become only the second team to win three consecutive Premier League games against Manchester United if they take all three points on Sunday.
Another side doing this is Manchester City, who have done it twice.
It has been going well for the Seagulls, who have won five of their last six games against the Red Devils.