CRISTIANO RONALDO is set to be involved as Manchester United take on Brighton in the Premier League this afternoon.
It is Erik ten Hag's first competitive match in charge of the Red Devils – and the Dutchman appears to have a huge challenge on his hands.
Ronaldo is set to be involved for United after posting on Instagram that he is: "Ready".
But it comes a week after he – and a host of United players – left Old Trafford at half time during a pre-season friendly.
United endured their worst season in Premier League history last term under the leadership of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
Brighton humiliated United during their torrid end to last season, with a 4-0 win at the Amex Stadium in May.
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What time does Man Utd vs Brighton kick off?
- Man Utd's home clash with Brighton will get underway from 2pm UK time on Sunday, August 7 – TODAY.
- The game will take place at Old Trafford.
- The last time the two sides played, Brighton thrashed United 4-0 at the Amex Stadium.
What channel is it and can it be live stream?
- Man Utd vs Brighton will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Football.
- You can live stream the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go app, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
Team news
All eyes will be on Erik Ten Hag's first team selection come 1pm on Sunday afternoon, as he decides on whether to start Ronaldo or not.
The Portuguese forward left United's 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano early after being hauled off at half-time and has reportedly made it clear he wants to leave.
And after Ten Hag blasted Ronaldo's decision to take off during the Rayo match and said he needed to build his fitness, a place on the bench seems the most likely outcome for the Portugal captain.
Elsewhere, new boy Tyrell Malacia could get a start at left-back after impressing United fans all throughout pre-season.
And you can expect forwards Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford to start in tandem with one another after their fruitful summers in the side.
Brighton have made just two signings so far this summer, Paraguay's Julio Enciso from Libertad and Ivory Coast's Simon Adingra from FC Nordsjaelland.
It remains to be seen whether Graham Potter will start Cucurella given the interest in the full-back.
Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford…
- Kieran Davies
Brighton looking to continue good form
Graham Potter's side lost just one of their final nine games last season (W5, D3).
They had the fifth-best away record in the top flight last season, losing just four times (W7, D8).
Pascal Gross has scored in all three of Brighton's wins over Man Utd and has a total of four goals against the Red Devils.
- Alex Terrell
Match odds courtesy of Betfair
Here are your prices for today's match from bookmakers Betfair.
Man Utd – 4/6
Draw – 29/10
Brighton – 4/1
- Kieran Davies
Dutchman looking to turn back time
Erik ten Hag will be welcomed to Old Trafford today as the Dutchman takes charge of his first Premier League game as Man Utd manager.
ten Hag will be the eighth manager to take the reins at United since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, hoping to have far more success than his predecessors.
The Dutch manager knows that the club is not where it wants to be and what is required to get them back to that place.
Credit: Rex
- Kieran Davies
Big game pressure in debut appearance
Six of the previous seven Man Utd managers have won their first game in charge.
The last five Dutchmen to manage in the Premier League have lost their opening game, with only one Dutch manager having won on his debut (Guus Hiddink with Chelsea at Aston Villa in February 2009)
Man Utd have won their first Premier League match in 10 of the past 13 seasons, including a 5-1 win against Leeds Utd last season.
- Kieran Davies
The Cristiano Ronaldo conundrum
Erik ten Hag would have no doubt seen having a player like Ronaldo at his disposal as a huge positive in taking the Old Trafford position.
Little would he have expected that this would be his biggest headache in the early stages of his Man Utd tenure with the Portuguese player making his thoughts known on wanting to leave the club.
The Dutchman needs to manage this situation carefully as it has the potential of having a negative effect on the rest of his squad.
It is fair to say that this will be the first of many huge tests for ten Hag as United manager, how he deals with this situation could make or break his time at the club.
- Alex Terrell
Ten Hag: this squad has promise
Erik ten Hag says he is adamant he can turn United into a team of winners after last season's horror show.
He said: "We know we have to give the example on the pitch.
But if we have the right attitude and by that I mean hard work and being brave – then the fans will like it and it will bring the fight back.
"Every game is a challenge so we have to get the best out of it. There will be setbacks but we'll have to deal with that.
"That is the attitude we all need. And when you show it and have a good plan, in the end you will achieve success. I am 100 per cent confident of that.
"I see the potential in many players in this squad and, yes, I am convinced I can develop the team. You cannot change the past but you can change the future."
- Alex Terrell
Ten Hag hoping for fast start
Dutchman Erik ten Hag may be a Premier League new boy but he is well aware winning alone has never been enough at United.
And he is relishing the chance to put smiles back on the faces of long-suffering fans as much as points on the board.
Ten Hag insisted: "That's why I am here and I like it. United want to win but win in a certain way – pro-active, brave and with adventure.
"I think that belongs to the culture here and we want to bring that in.
"Me, the staff and the players have to do everything to bring success back on to the pitch.
"Every day you have to bring the maximum of what you can, then you will develop individually and as a team."
- Alex Terrell
Fans are out in force
You cannot be glum on a day like today, especially in Manchester where it rains a LOT.
United fans are enjoying the sunshine, but will they be leaving under a cloud after today's Premier League clash?
Credit: Getty Credit: Reuters - Alex Terrell
Good afternoon and welcome to Old Trafford
It's time for us to look forward to a new season for Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion – as they face off in the Premier League.
What a summer of transition it has been at United, with Erik ten Hag hoping to spark a new era as he looks to mark a decade since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson with a tenure similar to the iconic Scot.
Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles, which is still just staggering, but after last season a repeat has never felt further away for United.
Arguably the nadir of a truly woeful season came in May when the Red Devils woefully lost 4-0 to Graham Potter's excellent Seagulls.
That was the afternoon that put paid to Ralf Rangnick's reputation as a steady hand to steer the ship.
And Ten Hag was brought in to steer this sinking boat into calmer waters.
After a summer where United have tried – and failed – to bring in Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, the Red Devils still feel light in crucial areas.
At least a right-back, a defensive midfielder and a central striker are surely required to challenge the Premier League's top four.
Today will be a sure mark of United's level as Ten Hag looks to implement his style… in a business where results matter, will it be enough?
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