Brighton & Hove Albion will look to make it back-to-back Premier League wins when Manchester United make the journey to the AMEX Stadium on Saturday.
Graham Potter’s side are looking to win consecutive league games for the first time since October last year after a slick display at St. James’ Park saw them secure their first three points of the campaign.
Goals for Neal Maupay and Aaron Connolly meant they both got off the mark for the new season in the 3-0 win over Newcastle, whilst Tariq Lamptey once again impressed with an eye-catching performance.
On the squad morale
“As you can imagine, after three wins we’re delighted and the players are in a good place,” said boss Potter.
“The understanding of what we’re trying to do is developing so that’s pleasing but, at the same time, we know how football is.
“There are challenges around the corner and things can quickly change so we just try to keep as level as possible and look forward to the next match.”
On the Manchester United test
And the Seagulls know that they will have a big task if they are to back up their midweek Carabao Cup win at Preston with three points against a Man United side looking to get off the mark after defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side didn’t get off to the start they wanted, with Palace defeating them 3-1 at Old Trafford. And although United got back to winning ways with a midweek win over Luton Town in the Carabao Cup, it’s points on the board that the Red Devils will want.
“Their summer preparations for the new season were disrupted and we perhaps saw that against Crystal Palace last Saturday, but they are still a strong side,” continued Potter.
“When they came here and won (in June) they were in a good moment, full of confidence on the back of some great results.
“They played Sheffield United the week before and Chris Wilder said they were the best team they had played. I would probably agree – at that point they were really confident, powerful and firing so it was a tough game.”
Prior to that defeat for the Seagulls, the AMEX had been a happy hunting ground against United, with Albion securing consecutive home victories in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 campaigns.
On team news
After rolling the changes for the 2-0 win away at Preston, Potter will be hoping any knocks that players who featured in last weekend's successful trip to Tyneside will have gone.
"We're okay," said Potter. "We just need to recover the boys that played on Wednesday (against Preston) which is normal, but I think most of them will be fine for the United game.
"Tariq (Lamptey) was receiving some treatment last week but he trained on Thursday and Adam Lallana has trained all week. So, apart from Yves Bissouma being suspended, we have no further problems."
On facing United twice in successive games
Albion's reward for winning at Deepdale in the week is a Fourth Round tie with Saturday's opponents, Man. United, this coming week.
Potter added: "We know the challenge, but you want to test yourself against the best teams and that's what these games provide - a great test and an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and try to get positive results and we're looking forward to both matches."
Lamptey continues to impress
Last week it proved to be another game, another fine display from young right-back Lamptey, and Potter was keen to praise the England U21 international.
"As impressive as he is in terms of his footballing ability, as a person he is a fantastic role model," he said. "There's this perception you have to be a certain way to succeed in this world we live in, but he's the opposite in terms of being a honest, down to earth kid whose shown he is willing to improve and develop."