Manchester United have held private talks with the Premier League to express concern over their upcoming fixtures, according to reports.
It is said that the Red Devils are ‘concerned’ about the amount of midweek home games they are scheduled to play between now and Christmas.
Ruben Amorim’s side host Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday, in what is their only home match on a weekend from October 5 to December 25.
The Athletic report that United CEO Omar Berrada had a behind-the-scenes discussion with Premier League chief Richard Masters about the fixtures.
The pair had a ‘constructive conversation’, with United requesting a change in how games have been scheduled.
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Following the clash with Brighton this weekend, United next three home fixtures against Everton, West Ham and AFC Bournemouth are all scheduled to take place midweek as things stand.
The scheduling of Monday night games is understood to have complicated the United’s aspirations for a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia.
Man Utd vs Brighton prediction
Meanwhile, Alan Shearer and Paul Merson are both tipping Brighton to hold United to a draw this weekend, despite the Red Devils beating Liverpool last time out.
‘This is a tough one to call,’ Shearer told Metro via Betfair. ‘Last weekend, Man Utd had an amazing result at Liverpool with Brighton deservedly beating Newcastle.
‘Brighton are a good team, they create chances and look very well organised. I’m going to go for a draw on this one. It might not be a bad result for both clubs.’
Merson told Sportskeeda: ‘Manchester United were very good against Liverpool.
‘They have now won three out of the last four games, but this is a very tricky game coming up for Ruben Amorim’s men.
‘Brighton won this fixture quite easily at Old Trafford last season. The jury is still out on Manchester United.
‘If they win this game, it would be a great result. Amorim made a bold decision to bench Benjamin Sesko in the game against Liverpool and it paid off quite brilliantly for him.
‘But I doubt he will do that again because unlike Liverpool, Brighton may decide to sit back deep in this game.
‘So I’m not sure how effective Matheus Cunha can be in drawing defenders out of position like he did against Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
‘I don’t think Manchester United will win this game, going for a draw here.’