Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler expects a ‘big challenge’ at Old Trafford on Wednesday as Manchester United will react to controversial defeat on Sunday.
The Red Devils were downed 1-0 in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, despite City’s Phil Foden being sent off after just 23 minutes.
The loss was made all the more miserable by the fact that Erling Haaland’s winner should have been ruled out for Enzo Fernandez being offside, but VAR incorrectly made sure it stood.
It has been a tough start to the season for Michael Carrick’s side, winning just one of their first four Premier League matches, but Hurzeler is not underestimating Manchester United.
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Far from rattled by their loss on Sunday, he expects the Red Devils to come out swinging when he takes his Brighton team to Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
‘We expect a strong Manchester United, we expect a team that definitely wants to react after their defeat,’ Hurzeler told a pre-match press conference. ‘I think every team wants to react after a loss.
‘Therefore I think that’s a big challenge for us, that we’re ready for this.’
Brighton had no such struggles at the weekend, battering Coventry City 5-0 and taking their goal tally to 13 in just four league outings.
The Seagulls boss is urging his side to focus on what they do well, rather than what the Red Devils will bring.
‘I think it’s really about us as well, how we step into the game,’ he said. ‘For me, it’s very important that we show the belief that we go there to win this game. It’s importnat we show our style of play, our qualities, that we stick to our principles.
‘I think that’s the main bit, that we have to have the right mindset and then we only can control how we play, how we start the game, how we do the small margins right. That’s the main things that we have to focus on.’
It is early days in the Carabao Cup, with Wednesday’s fixture in the third round, but Hurzeler is happy to state that Brighton are looking to win the competition.
‘Its a chance to win something and we are a club with ambition,’ he said. ‘If you want to win something you have to compete with the best teams in the league and United is one of the best teams. We’re looking forward to it.’
On Haaland’s controversial goal on Sunday, Hurzeler said it should not have happened, but is not anti-VAR in his stance.
‘I always said that VAR makes football more fair. That’s proven,’ said the 33-year-old. ‘Of course there are moments like at the weekend where it’s not ideal, it’s definitely not ideal and things like this shouldn’t happen.
‘But in the end it happens. What is important is that it will never happen again, I think that’s the main bit.
‘There’s always big discussions about VAR. It takes away a little bit the emotions, it takes away a little bit the rhythm of the game. It’s definitely part of it but it’s also proven it makes the game more fair, that there are less wrong decisions.
‘There are pros and cons. Everyone has their opinion, in the end we have to accept it like it is and focus on the things we can control, and that’s how the team will play.’