By James Cormack
Erik ten Hag's rousing speech following the conclusion of Manchester United's final home game of the 2023/24 season depicted a defiant manager willing to push forward with his project despite the difficulties of his second campaign at the helm.
United's 3-2 victory over Newcastle on Wednesday was a rare bright night for the club in an otherwise disappointing season, and a strong conclusion, including an unlikely triumph over Manchester City in the FA Cup final, could convince INEOS to retain Ten Hag for the start of 2024/25.
Nevertheless, there's a possibility of Ten Hag picking his final Premier League starting lineup in charge of the Red Devils on Sunday.
Here's the team he could pick for United's trip to Brighton.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-2-3-1)
GK: Andre Onana - The Cameroonian international will start his 38th Premier League game of the season on Sunday. Onana has played every minute in the league this term.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka - Ten Hag has established some continuity at full-back despite United's injuries, with Wan-Bissaka continuing at right-back at the Amex.
CB: Jonny Evans - The veteran has come back into the side for United's three previous games having recovered from a minor injury. He should be preferred over makeshift centre-back Casemiro.
CB: Lisandro Martinez - Martinez returned from a long-term calf injury on Wednesday, coming off the bench late on against the Magpies. Ten Hag could start the Argentine and give him an hour with the FA Cup final in mind.
LB: Diogo Dalot - No Man Utd outfielder has racked up more league minutes than Dalot (3,084) this season.
CM: Sofyan Amrabat - The Moroccan produced a fine performance in midweek and is a shoo-in to continue in the side on Sunday. Amrabat is playing for his United future over the next two games.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo - Mainoo was back on the scoresheet in midweek, with Ten Hag playing the impressive youngster relentlessly ever since he broke into the first team.
RM: Amad Diallo - The Ivorian scored a wonderful goal last time out, with his two recent performances begging the question as to why he hasn't featured more this season. Amad is fighting for a spot in the FA Cup final XI.
AM: Bruno Fernandes - The returning Fernandes was brilliant in a fluid role on Wednesday, and he'll have a similar license to roam on the south coast.
LM: Marcus Rashford - Rashford made his return following a month out off the bench against Newcastle and could replace Alejandro Garnacho down the left. The Argentine has been forced to play a lot of football in recent weeks.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund \- Dropping to the bench seemed to do the trick. The goal-shy Hojlund was back on the scoresheet as he scored United's third on Wednesday with one of his first few touches. Ten Hag will hope that finish will inspire some confidence heading into the season's conclusion.
This article was originally published on 90min.com as Man Utd predicted lineup vs Brighton - Premier League.
