Two of the Premier League's early season surprise packages face off on Saturday as Manchester United host high-flying Brighton at Old Trafford. Both teams have impressed with their attacking play so far, setting up an intriguing tactical battle.

Now on paper, you'd think this would be a walk in the park for the Red Devils on home turf. But this Brighton side has started the season in some scintillating form.

While United have stuttered a bit under new gaffer Erik ten Hag, the Seagulls have soared to the upper reaches of the table playing some silky soccer. New Italian manager Roberto De Zerbi has got them moving the ball at a dizzying pace and banging in goals for fun.

So the United defenders could have their work cut out keeping this rampant Brighton attack quiet at Old Trafford. We know Harry Maguire and the gang can be a bit dodgy at the back.

Going forward though, United aren't short of game-changers either with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, and Marcus Rashford ready to work their magic.

But they'll need to be switched on to handle the hassling and harrying of Brighton's energetic midfield pairing of Moises Caicedo and Billy Gilmour. Those terriers can turn possession in a flash to launch attacks.

This has all the makings of a right end-to-end humdinger! If United's slick forwards are feeling fruity, they could run riot. But equally, this youthful Brighton side has the flair and fearlessness to pick apart a questionable United defense.

Man United vs Brighton

The match will take place on Saturday, 16th September, 2023, at Old Trafford, in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England.

Toothless United Undone by Late Arsenal Sucker Punch

Manchester United suffered late heartbreak as Arsenal stole a dramatic 3-2 victory in Sunday's pulsating Premier League clash.

United had gone ahead through Rashford before being pegged back instantly by Odegaard's equalizer.

Thereafter, an open end-to-end game ensued with both sides threatening intermittently.

United grew into the game after a shaky start and carried a menace on the breakthrough Rashford's pace.

But at the back, the missing Varane and Shaw were felt as Arsenal's slick attack caused problems.

Martinez's injury before the hour mark further disrupted United's fragile defense.

As the game entered an incredible 7 minutes of added time, Garnacho thought he had won it with a composed finish.

But VAR intervened to rule out the youngster's late strike for offside.

From the resulting corner, Rice stole in unmarked to restore Arsenal's lead right at the death.

There was still time for Jesus to add insult to injury, skipping clear to make it 3-1 and intensify United's anguish.

It was a gut-wrenching finale after United defended stoutly for much of the second period.

In truth, the visitors did not deserve defeat after producing their best away display this campaign.

But once more, defensive lapses at crucial moments proved extremely costly.

Boss Ten Hag is still searching for the right balance in his United rebuild.

Performances are improving, but precious points continue being squandered by abrupt concentration lapses.

On the road this term, United's promising spells have too often been punctured by self-inflicted wounds.

Ten Hag must address these abrupt collapses if United's revival is to take root.

Ferguson Fires Brighton to Emphatic Win Over Slumping Newcastle

The Seagulls were irresistible at times, putting Newcastle to the sword with a scintillating attacking display led by 18-year-old phenom Evan Ferguson.

Ferguson was simply unplayable, bagging a superb hat-trick to become the youngest player since Michael Owen to score three in a Premier League match. 

The teenage Irishman is a frightening prospect, built like a tank but with delicate feet and an eagle eye for goal. If he can stay fit, Ferguson is going to be a superstar. His meteoric rise continued today as he tormented Newcastle's hapless defense. 

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi purred after the match that Ferguson "can become the top scorer in Europe." On this evidence, you wouldn't bet against it.

While Ferguson stole the headlines, this was a supreme team effort from a Brighton side that looks to be gelling nicely under new manager De Zerbi. 

The Italian has only been in charge a few weeks but has already implemented an attractive, attacking system that got the best out of Brighton's offensive talents today.

For Newcastle, this result bursts the bubble of optimism that was building after an unbeaten start to the campaign. The Magpies were second best all over the park today as Brighton's pretty passing patterns unlocked a disjointed Toon midfield time and again.

Eddie Howe experimented with summer signing Sandro Tonali in a deep-lying role but the Italian looked lost, giving the ball away sloppily on several occasions. Brighton pounced on those mistakes to devastating effect. Howe hooked Tonali on the hour mark but the damage was already done.

Howe was keen to stress that he won't overreact to this defeat, saying his squad just needs time to gel after an influx of new signings. But the manager did acknowledge they contributed to their own downfall at times today.

On the balance of play, Brighton fully deserved to take the points. De Zerbi's vision for the team is clearly taking shape. Newcastle on the other hand looked muddled and uncertain of their best XI.

The season is long and Howe will get it right eventually. But Brighton is moving smoothly in the right direction. On today's evidence, it's De Zerbi's upwardly mobile Seagulls that are the ones to watch this season.

Predicted Lineups

Man United: André Onana, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Aron Wan-Bissaka, Eriksen, Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Antony, Rasmus Hojlund

Brighton: Bart Verbruggen, Pervis Estupiñán, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, James Milner, Mahmoud Dahoud, Pascal Groß, Kaoru Mitoma, Julio Enciso, Solly March, Danny Welbeck

Key Battles

Marcus Rashford vs Lewis Dunk - Rashford's pace on the counterattack could trouble Brighton's veteran center-back.

Lisandro Martinez vs Evan Ferguson - Martinez's aggression could be tested against the talented Brighton youngster.