Man Utd - Home, Falmer Years
MAN UTD PREM records from 11/12 to 17/18; 2, 1, 7, 4, 5, 6, 2. Best finish = 1, Worst finish = 7, Ave finish = 4th.
C21; Ave = 3rd (19yrs), TITLE - 8 times, Runners-up - 4 times, Top four - 16 times from 19, Top ten - 19 times. AVE GATE; 75.2K, CAP; 75.7K
RECENT managers; Jose Mourinho (2016-19), Louis van Gaal (2014-16), David Moyes (2013-14), Sir Alex Ferguson (1986-2013)
PODIUMS; 17/18 - Man City, Man Utd, Tottenham, 12/13 - Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea. 11/12 - Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal.

UNITED FANS Expectations - by past standards, more is anticipated from the forever elite giant.
FORECASTS at start; title 7/1, top four 2-7, top n-w 9-2. Sack JM 7/1 fav, 1st sack 6/1 fav. FA Cup 6/1, EFL Cup 6/1

UNITED AWAY;
18/19 - P9 W3 D2 L4 F15 A18 GD-3 Pt11 Po6 = 1.22pt/gm or 42.3% of total points. Wins = 33.3%, Loss = 44.4% - Jose Mourinho.
17/18 - P19 W10 D4 L5 F30 A19 GD+11 Pt34 Po2 = 1.78pt/gm or 41.9% of total points. Wins = 52.6%, Loss = 26.3% - Jose Mourinho.
16/17 - P19 W10 D5 L4 F28 A17 GD+11 Pt35 Po6 (Po3 away) = 1.84pt/gm or 50.7% of total points. Away wins = 52.6% - Jose Mourinho.
15/16 - P19 W7 D4 L8 F22 A26 GD-4 Pt25 Po5 = 1.31pt/gm or 37.8% of total points. Wins 36.8% - Louis van Gaal.
14/15 - P19 W6 D8 L5 F21 A22 GD-1 Pt26 Po4 = 1.36pt/gm or 37.1% of total points. Wins = 31.5% - Louis van Gaal.
13/14 - P19 W10 D4 L5 F35 A22 GD+13 Pt34 Po7 = 1.78pt/gm or 53.1% of total points. Wins = 52.6% - David Moyes.

Season8 Premier League (H) Sunday 19/8/18 - W 3-2 ~ Murray, Duffy, Gross.
This match began Seagulls second PL home campaign and again obtained select tv coverage, by moving to Sunday kickoff. Irony suggested we had previously won here versus United, when our very last game at the Amex (see season7 below) got switched from Saturday. Meanwhile fringe players Ulloa (loan), Goldson, Huenemeier, Rosenior (U23 coach), Maenpaa, Sidwell, Krul, Ince, Murphy, Baldock & Skalak left during the close season. Norwood went out on loan. Prior to BHA's July tour to base camp in Austria, Ryan, Izquierdo & new guy Leon Balogun had played at the World Cup during June in Russia. The PL summer transfer window now closed at start of the season and to date Martin Montoya, Ali Jahanbakhsh, Yves Bissouma, Bernardo da Silva, Leon Balogun, Florin Andone and homegrown keepers David Button & Jason Steele had been added to the rejigged 25 man PL squad. Reserve c-d Dan Burn signed on deadline day. The revised U23 group, with several new signings, were now competing in PL2 div1 and also facing fixtures against elite clubs. On the day Chris Hughton selected a tied & tested eleven, although with influencial Bruno injured, Montoya now made his PL debut in lieu of the club captain.
Albion actually did the double, in terms of a second win versus United at the Amex in consecutive games. It wasn't all that straightforward, Dunk being injured from the 10th minute and replaced by debutant Balogun (20min). The armband went to Stephens and he helped provide inpetus from midfield to stifle early build ups by Red Devils. Seagulls then took the lead when March got the assist for Murray to prod home (25min). In next to no time hosts were two up when Duffy notched at the second attempt from a corner routine (27min). United hit back quickly with a header after mistakes in defence (34min). But Ref pointed to the spot just prior to half-time when Gross got floored and he rose to convert the penalty kick (44min). United regrouped for a 2nd period onslaught but locals held firm outside the area and soaked up pressure using proactive measures without the ball. On ninety minutes Hughton put on 2 subs to kill time. But Ref again decided a pen was required and Utd duly netted a very late consolation. Hughton said, 'I am proud, particularly the reaction from last week. If you let them play they can hurt you. Both sides of our game were really good.' Brighton fans were delerious with pleasure and at final whistle went vocally crazy. It was noticeable by then that the away end was almost empty.
Stats; shape 4411-433, h-t 3-1, goals 25,27,44-34,95, poss 33%-67%, on target 3-3, off target 3-6, corners 3-5, o/s 2-2, fouls 16-13, yellows 1-1, subs 3-3. Gate 30,592, away 3025.
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk (14 Balogan 20), 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 20 March, 13 Gross (7 Kayal 89), 17 Murray (9 Locadia 90).
Bench - Button, Bernardo, Bissouma, Jahanbakhsh.
P2 . W1 D0 L0 . F3 A2 . W0 D0 L1 . F0 A2 . Pt3 Po11 = 1.50pt/gm. Wins = 50%, Loss = 50%

Manager; JOSE MOURINHO (2016-18)
Hlfwy; P17 W7 D5 L5 F29 A29 GD0 Pt26 Po6 = 1.52pt/gm. Wins = 41.1%, Loss = 29.4%
Start; P10 W5 D2 L3 F17 A17 GD0 Pt17 Po8 = 1.70pt/gm. Wins = 50%, Loss = 30% - Mourinho.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE; PSG . Group H - Juventus 0-1 (H) 1-2 (A), Valencia 0-0 (H) 2-1 (A), Young Boys 0-3 (A) 1-0 (H).
EFL CUP; 3rd rnd - Derby 7-8 pens 2-2 (H)
FA CUP; 3rd rnd - Reading (H)
JH record; to Aug 18 - P120 W74 D25 L21 Wins = 61.6%
Prospects; Jose is glum for a reason. He knows the score but doesn't want others to read his mind, only public face. Watch that space.
October; a disappointing start to say least but potential for upward curve. Out of EFL Cup on pens.
New Year;
March;

INS; Fred (Shakhtar 52m), Diogo Dalot (Porto 19m), Lee Grant (Stoke 1.5m)

Season7 Premier League (H) Friday 4/5/18 - 1-0 ~ Gross
This was the last home fixtue of the PL season and was selected for televising to a world-wide audience. Albion hadn't done that well hosting the big-six clubs: Man City 0-2, Liverpool 1-5, Chelsea 0-4, Arsenal 2-1 & Spurs 1-1 to date. Also 7th Burnley 0-0, 8th Everton 1-1 & 9th Leicester 0-2. We had twice been up to Old Trafford this term, the latest occasion being two months ago for an FA Cup Q-F tie when BHA were knocked out. Now the situation was that Seagulls still needed points to ensure appearing in the division next term. They were one from all bottom half of the table outfits looking over shoulders at those behind possibly getting wins whilst own results were registering reversals. Albion hadn't won during those last two months but for tonight at least, destiny was still in their hands.
In the event Albion won the game and stayed up for sure to boot. The overall display was more than competent and each player did his job to effect. Visitors were off colour on the night but that is not to take anything away from a superb team performance. Seagulls took the game to United and shaded the first half, being unlucky not to score due to fine goalkeeping by Red Devils goalie. Then during the second period Gross headed Izquierdo's cross over the line - Ref aided by Hawkeye technology (57min). Ten minutes later the German Player of the Season was booked when preventing a Utd goalscoring opportunity. The atmosphere built to fever pitch as Hughton put on 3 late subs in a classic tactic of great game management. At the end the stadium erupted into a climax of noise and celebration. Regarding survival Hughton said, 'it means everything. It has been a nervous ending with the run in, with big games coming up. We've come a long way and had some tough periods. The chairman has invested heavily in the club and I am delighted for him.' Brighton fans would drink a toast to that and also club, manager & players who did us all so proud this season.
Stats; shape 4411-433, ht 0-0, goals 57, poss 32%-68%, on target 4-3, off target 4-7, corners 5-6, o/s 1-2, fouls 5-3, yellows 2-0, subs 3-3. Gate 30,611 (away )
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 19 Izquierdo (20 March 88), 13 Gross (7 Kayal 84), 17 Murray (16 Ulloa 93).
P 36 . W 9 D 13 L 14 . F 33 A 47 . Pt 40 Po 11

MAN UTD 17/18 stats -
Total; P38 W25 D6 L7 F68 A28 GD+40 Pt81 Po2 = 2.13pt/gm. Wins = 65.7%, Loss = 18.4% - Jose Mourinho. R1 Y64
3qtrs; P29 W19 D5 L5 F56 A22 GD+34 Pt62 Po2 = 2.13pt/gm. Wins = 65.5%, Loss = 15.6%
Hlfwy; P19 W13 D3 L3 F41 A14 GD+27 Pt42 Po2 = 2.21pt/gm. Wins = 68.4%, Loss = 15.7%
Start; P10 W7 D2 L1 F23 A4 GD+19 Pt23 Po2 = 2.30pt/gm. Wins = 70%, Loss = 10%

August - top four is likely, as & when JM gets his second year act together.
New Year - on track for a podium place and maybe a Cup run too.
March - competition to be runner-up. EFL Cup Q-F. FA Cup S-F. Champions League last 16.

PREVIOUS FIVE;
17/18 - P38 W25 D6 L7 F68 A28 GD+40 Pt81 Po2 = 2.13pt/gm. Wins = 65.7%, Loss = 18.4% - Jose Mourinho.
That special one from Portugal came on board at United last term with a point to prove. Two seasons later he was slightly on the back foot when analysing campaign performance & finish.
16/17 - P38 W18 D15 L5 F54 A29 GD+25 Pt69 Po6 = 1.81pt/gm. Wins = 47.3%, Draws = 39.4%, Loss = 13.1%, CS = 45% - Jose Mourinho.
Following top men who presumably 'failed' was a tough ask in the circumstances. This term was in prep for a higher re-launch.
15/16 - P38 W19 D9 L10 F49 A35 GD+14 Pt66 Po5 = 1,73pt/gm. Wins = 50% - Louis van Gaal.
Looking at the last 3 years stats is one way of understanding Red Devils fall from grace in an uncompromising division. At least there was an FA Cup to look at in the otherwise empty, newest silverware cabinet.
14/15 - P38 W20 D10 L8 F62 A37 GD+25 Pt70 Po4 = 1.84pt/gm. Wins = 52.6% - Louis van Gaal (P44 W23 D11 L10 Wins = 52.2%)
Red Devils suffered a poor start and Louis van Gaal, with a revised strategy, didn't better his predecessor by vastly superior stats or tactics. But top four was certainly another turnaround.
13/14 - P38 W19 D7 L12 F64 A41 GD+23 Pt64 Po7 = 1.68pt/gm. Wins = 50% - David Moyes.
Sir Alex Ferguson was some class act to follow and David Moyes fell short by a long way in his single year as boss at United. It also impacted on subsequent failure for competitions in Europe.

FA CUP from 13/14; 3rd rnd, 6th rnd, winners, q-f, finalists, ?
LEAGUE CUP; s-f, 2nd rnd, 4th rnd, winners, q-f, 3rd rnd.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE; q-f, nq, nq, nq, last 16, ?
EUROPA LEAGUE; nq, nq, last 16, winners, nq, nq.

Man Utd - Away, Falmer Years
Run-in; Arsenal (A), Man City (H), Watford (H), Wolves (A), West Ham (H), Everton (A), Chelsea (H), Huddersfield (A), Cardiff (H)

UNITED @ HOME;
18/19 - P8 W4 D3 L1 F14 A11 GD+3 Pt15 Po6 = 1.87pt/gm or 57.6% of total points. Wins = 50%, Loss = 12.5% - Jose Mourinho.
17/18 - P19 W15 D2 L2 F38 A9 GD+29 Pt47 Po2 = 2.47pt/gm or 58% of total points. Wins = 78.9%, Loss = 10.5% - Jose Mourinho.
16/17 - P19 W8 D10 L1 F26 A12 GD+14 Pt34 Po6 (Po7 home) = 1.78pt/gm or 49.2% of total points. Home wins = 42.1% - Jose Mourinho.
15/16 - P19 W12 D5 L2 F27 A9 GD+18 Pt41 Po5 = 2.15pt/gm or 62.1% of total points. Wins = 42.1% - Louis van Gaal.
14/15 - P19 W14 D2 L3 F41 A15 GD+26 Pt44 Po4 = 2.31pt/gm or 62.8% of total points. Wins = 73.6% - Louis van Gaal.
13/14 - P19 W9 D3 L7 F29 A21 GD+8 Pt30 Po7 = 1.57pt/gm or 46.8% of total points. Wins = 47.3% - David Moyes.

Season8 Premier League (A) 19/1/19 -

Season7 FA Cup Q-F (A) 17/2/18 - L 2-0
A Saturday evening tie against likely PL runners-up was reward for reaching the quarter-final stage of this historic knockout competition. Albion had previously defeated Palace & Coventry at the Amex and in between those ties Middlesboro away, to then go into the draw for the last eight clubs. Chris Hughton had previously fielded a second eleven in each qualifying round but now, would consider all those fit from the 25 man PL squad for possible match-day selection. In the event he reverted to Dunk & Duffy in cent-def but elected to play both Ulloa & Locadia up front in a sort of 433. It was an exceedingly cold night and snow flurries whipped around Old Trafford at kickoff.
Albion were knocked out, despite a reasonable display against a side that did just enough on the night. Two similar goals conceded with headers from deep crosses sealed Seagulls fate (37 & 83min). But visitors were always in the tie until late in the day and better finishing may have given them a chance of extra time, prior to letting in the killer goal. Stats showed the away side worthy of making it a contest, although in truth it was never a classic. A score for Albion would have put an edge to the outcome and who knows what may have happened subsequently. Hughton said, 'we might not have had a lot of possession but you expect that here. We needed to work the keeper more. And have a little bit more quality in the final third.' Ulloa was subbed but Locadia did well and on another occasion woulda hit the net. Final analysis revealed difference was in making & taking chances.
Stats; shape 4231-433, ht 1-0, goals 37,83, poss 61%-39%, on target 2-6, off target 3-5, blocked 3-6, crosses 20-20, corners 5-5, o/s 0-1, tackles 15-19, f-k 3-8, yellows 0-0, subs 3-2. Gate 74,241 (away)
26 Krul, 21 Schelotto, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk (C), 29 Suttner, 7 Kayal, 24 Propper, 13 Gross, 25 Locadia, 16 Ulloa (17 Murray 76), 20 March (19 Izquierdo 68).
Subs - Maenpaa, Bruno, Goldson, Baldock, Sanders.

Season7 Premier League (A) 25/11/17 - L 1-0
This was the second of those 'big' away games at a top-six club. It was what Brighton fans wanted to experience in the Prem and ticket sales for trips to such places were registering 'sold out' long before weekend travel plans north of Sussex got researched. Chris Hughton's regular eleven were unbeaten in 5 fixtures and had won their last two on the road. But this was obviously a step up and realistically a tough call to anticipate returning with the point allocated from k-o at nil-nil. In the event Hughton set up as usual with 4411 and had serious options available from the bench.
Predictably Albion lost the match but gave a plucky display to a large audience (Motd at least!) that showed they could compete at this standard. Following a goalless first half United were first to sub in order to try and break deadlock around the hour mark. Murray was booked and then Dunk sliced a pot shot over Ryan as he dove in to defend (66min). Seagulls were unlucky to be behind and put in a spirited response to the death. In a flurry of changes Hemed & Izquierdo arrived simultaneously, Duffy later received a yellow and Brown got on as the clocked ticked thru final moments. But nothing altered, BHA lacked a cutting edge and were beat. Chris Hughton said, 'I'm incredibly disappointed. We deserved to get more. We didn't create too many chances but got into good positions. Mat Ryan made a save but apart from that they didn't get too much.' Brighton fans had a nice afternoon in the Theatre of Dreams and realistically could feel proud of their team despite another defeat to a top six club.
Stats; shape 4231-4141, ht 0-0, goal 66, poss 58%-42%, on target 4-2, off target 7-3, blocks 4-3, crosses 27-17, corners 5-0, o/s 2-1, tackles 10-22, fouls 9-9, yellows 0-2, subs 3-3. Gate 75,018 (away 3107)
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 20 March (19 Izquierdo), 13 Gross (37 Brown), 17 Murray (10 Hemed).
P 13 . W 4 D 4 L 5 . F 13 A 14 . Pt 16 Po 9