In United’s last home game on Sunday, they beat Nottingham Forest 3-2.
It was a deserved victory that saw Bruno Fernandes equal the record for 20 assists in a season, and provided the perfect Old Trafford send-off for Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia.
Man United vs Brighton
All attention now turns to United’s trip to the American Express Stadium to take on Brighton & Hove Albion in what will be the final fixture of the season.
The Seagulls have always posed something of a challenge for the Red Devils. In their last five meetings across all competitions, United have won only twice, with Brighton taking three of those contests.
It was Brighton who knocked United out of the FA Cup back in early January; perhaps they were avenging that 4-2 defeat they suffered at Old Trafford in late October.
This Sunday, though, will be a whole new game. United will be keen to finish on a high, and Michael Carrick will be eager to sign off with his twelfth win in 17 games this season.
Lewis Dunk sends Man United a message
As keen as United are to end on a high, Brighton are taking this match extremely seriously, and Carrick’s side should be braced for a battle.
Last weekend, the Seagulls were stunned by Leeds United in a narrow 1-0 defeat, a result that left their hopes of European football hanging in the balance.
Should they lose to United and both Brentford and Sunderland win, Brighton could finish ninth and miss out on the European spots altogether.
Dunk, speaking to the Sussex Express after the weekend’s defeat, admitted:
“We’ve got to dust ourselves off and pick ourselves up and have a good week’s training. We’ve got a massive last game of the season.
“If you’d have offered me it at the start of the season, I’d have snapped your hand off.
“We have to have a good week’s training and look forward.
“There’s one massive game. It’s a cup final for us to reach Europe. Let’s work hard and try and do it.”
Man United better bring their A-game to the Amex
United’s visit to the Amex will therefore be far from straightforward. They will need to bring their A-game if they are to sign off with a fairytale ending to the season.
With European football secured and a third-place finish guaranteed, there is a danger the team could drop their guard, but they cannot afford to do so.
A win, coupled with Fernandes setting a new assists record, could be the perfect way to close the curtain on what has been a rollercoaster 2025-26 campaign.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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