Ruben Amorim gave a terse reply to Arne Slot’s recent comments, cutting through the noise ahead of Manchester United’s home match with Brighton & Hove Albion. When pressed on Slot’s remarks at Friday’s press conference, Amorim responded simply: “I don’t care.”

He elaborated on his view of external criticism in the same briefing. “I don’t care what Slot is saying, what people are saying about our team,” he huffed during Friday’s press conference. “I can watch the game and say we can do better and we need to do better in the future but sometimes you need to adapt to the game.”

United goalkeeper Senne Lammens had previously highlighted the team’s tactical adjustment against Liverpool, noting that the Red Devils played long to avoid being smothered by Liverpool’s high press, an approach that delivered the desired result after the famous Anfield victory.

Amorim left little room for outside analysis of his squad. “I don’t need anyone to evaluate my team,” Amorim added before turning his attention to the visit from Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. “I can evaluate my team and I am really clear that we should play better with the ball and we are going to try to do that in this game.”

Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler has been studying United’s responses and is preparing his side for a similar long-ball strategy. “The main thing you need to understand is that it starts with the press, how you attack the goalkeeper, which centre back you want to attack,” Hürzeler explained to Sky Sports ahead of Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford. “And then make sure that you’re ready for the long ball.

“When the long ball is played, there are two things that are very important: that you try to win the second ball, and that, if you don’t win the second ball, you have good positioning for the third ball.

“Make sure that, with your last line, you always cover the inner line, so when they try to flick the ball, especially with [Benjamin] Šeško, you can defend against the deep runs from [Matheus] Cunha, from [Bryan] Mbeumo, from [Mason] Mount.

“They are very good at these things, so it’s a job for the whole team, not only of the defensive players. The main thing is to keep the compactness, make sure you have close distances, that you close the gaps, and that you’re really intense for the second ball.”

Meanwhile, Arne Slot’s public tone has come under scrutiny amid Liverpool’s poor run of form. Slot’s comment calling Newcastle United a “smaller club” while discussing Alexander Isak’s recovery was deflected by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. “I don’t think that’s wise for me to get involved in those discussions,” Howe replied. “Alex is no longer at this football club, so I won’t comment on it.”

When reminded of Newcastle’s position in the Champions League phase and their ambitions, Howe added: “The set-up is here is very good. It is not perfect, we’ve got things to improve and to grow. But the owners here have developed the facilities since I’ve been here very, very well. ]

Manchester United head into Saturday’s meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion aiming for a third consecutive win under Amorim after back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time in his tenure. Brighton arrive unbeaten in five matches in all competitions and have already beaten Manchester City and Chelsea this season.

Recent form (selected results)
Liverpool 1–2 Man Utd – 19/10/25
Man Utd 2–0 Sunderland – 04/10/25
Brentford 3–1 Man Utd – 27/09/25
Man Utd 2–1 Chelsea – 20/09/25
Man City 3–0 Man Utd – 14/09/25

Brighton 2–1 Newcastle – 18/10/25
Wolves 1–1 Brighton – 05/10/25
Chelsea 1–3 Brighton – 27/09/25
Barnsley 0–6 Brighton – 23/09/25
Brighton 2–2 Tottenham – 20/09/25

Injury and selection update
United are relatively healthy with Lisandro Martínez the only confirmed absentee. Harry Maguire and Mason Mount are listed as minor doubts, though Amorim did not seem particularly concerned. United used a striker-less system to good effect on Merseyside, but Amorim could opt for a focal forward here. Benjamin Šeško has shown signs of growing more comfortable and could return to the starting XI, potentially in place of Mount. Leny Yoro may also be recalled, but substantial changes from what the coach called the most impressive victory of his reign seem unlikely.

Predicted Man Utd lineup (3-4-2-1): Lammens; De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Šeško.

Brighton arrive with more selection uncertainty. Hürzeler is not yet sure whether he’ll have Kaoru Mitoma because of an ankle problem, while Brajan Gruda and Joel Veltman are doubts. Diego Gómez is in contention. Jack Hinshelwood, Adam Webster and Solly March remain out long term. Danny Welbeck, fresh from a brace in the win over Newcastle United, will lead the line. Carlos Baleba, linked with a summer move to Old Trafford, is a player to watch.

Predicted Brighton lineup (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Gómez; Welbeck.

Tactical note
Brighton’s attacking fluidity and movement have unsettled United in this fixture previously, while goalkeeping errors have also been costly. United’s expected goals tally ranks second in the Premier League, and a direct approach with Šeško as a focal point would be a sensible way to press their advantage.

Manchester United could be without both centre back Harry Maguire and midfielder Mason Mount for Saturday’s visit of Brighton & Hove Albion, manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed. Maguire suffered a knock in training that has left him a major doubt for the game. He was the hero last time out with a late winner against Liverpool.

Amorim addressed the issue at his pre-match press briefing. “The squad is fine,” Amorim began. “We have some doubts, we had some issues during the week, with Harry Maguire and Mason Mount. Knocks, but nothing serious.

“Licha [Martínez] is out, but the rest is ready for the game. I think it’s always going to be like always, but it’s going to be a very difficult game. It’s a difficult team. They are fun to watch, really good with build-up, really strong with transitions in every aspect of the game and are doing well with set-pieces.”

Maguire is playing for his United future as he approaches the final six months of his contract at Old Trafford. Reports have claimed both parties are keen on an extension and Maguire is thought to be prepared to accept a pay cut to try and get a deal over the line. Amorim refused to be drawn on the negotiations.

“We are really happy with Harry,” he deflected. “It is not the time to talk about that again because that gives the idea that we are thinking so far away. We are really happy with Harry. He is really important for us, but we need to focus on the next game.

“I think it was good for him to play with the three centre backs. I think he feels more comfortable.

“He doesn’t need to go to the side so much. Sometimes, you help some players with the way you play. Sometimes, it is the opposite with some players. I am really pleased. I think he is not young, but he can learn a lot. He can improve. I think he can be so much better with the ball because he has that quality.

“He needs to show that. Nowadays, with the set-pieces that you see, the amount of men that you put in the box, every cross from the opponent, everyone is playing the pass.

“He is a massive player for us, so I’m really happy, but he needs to continue and that game [vs. Liverpool] is in the past. The goal is in the past, let’s move into the future.”