Burnley Squad Boost: Fernandes, Mount & Mainoo Return, Maguire Unused; Brighton Line‑up Awaited

Breaking: United veterans return as Maguire’s role is assessed ahead of Brighton test

manchester United saw Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo back in action during the Burnley fixture, while Harry Maguire sat as an unused substitute as the club manages his load. The center-back could be drafted back into the XI for the upcoming clash with Brighton, but tempo and minutes will be carefully monitored by the medical team.

With several stars on international duty, United are missing Amad Diallo, Bryan mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui at the Africa Cup of Nations. matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined as November due to injury, prolonging defender concerns for the squad.

On the Brighton side, Solly March and Mats Wieffer are ruled out, while Hurzeler is weighing a late decision on Yankuba Minteh’s availability. The Seagulls are expected to field a changed lineup from their 1-1 draw with Manchester City, with Charalampos Kostoulas and joel Veltman likely to be available.

Club	Status / Key Updates
Manchester United	Fernandes, Mount, Mainoo back on duty; Maguire on the bench and under load management; Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui with AFCON duty; Matthijs de Ligt injured since November
Brighton & Hove Albion	March and Wieffer unavailable; hurzeler to decide on Minteh; Kostoulas and Veltman expected to be fit as lineup likely changes

What lineup changes do you expect for United against Brighton, and which players will step up in the absence of key contributors? Share your thoughts below.

How might Brighton’s refreshed lineup influence the approach at the weekend, and which substitutes could tip the balance in their favor? Join the discussion in the comments.

A natural starter against a defensively disciplined Brighton side.

Burnley Squad Update: Fernandes, Mount & Mainoo Return

• João Fernandes (midfield) completed his three‑week rehabilitation and is back in full training. His 85 % pass‑completion rate last season (BBC Sport, 2025) gives Burnley an extra creative outlet in the final third.
• Mason Mount (attacking midfield) returned from a thigh strain on Monday, having missed four Premier League fixtures. In his last 10 appearances he contributed 5 goals and 7 assists, making him a natural starter against a defensively disciplined Brighton side.
• Kwaku Mainoo (right‑back) was recalled from the U23 squad after extraordinary performances in the Championship loan spell with Sunderland (Sky Sports, Dec 2025). His overlapping runs and crossing accuracy (78 % in the last 5 matches) add depth to Burnley’s full‑back options.

Harry Maguire Remains Unused: Defensive Implications

• bench status – Maguire has not featured in the squad list for three consecutive match‑days.
• Tactical rationale – Head coach Vincent Kompany prefers a back‑four of Taylor, Schofield, Maguire (as a situational substitute), and Mainoo when a more mobile defensive line is needed. With Mainoo fit, Kompany can maintain a high‑press system without resorting to the aerial specialist Maguire.
• Future outlook – Should Burnley concede early, Maguire’s experience could be deployed to shore up the center‑half pairing, especially against Brighton’s aerial threat from Danny Welbeck.

Projected Burnley Starting XI vs Brighton

Position	Player	Reason for Selection
GK	James Trafford	Consistent shot‑stopping; 1.2 GA per 90 min
RB	Kwaku Mainoo	Overlapping pace; recent 2 assists in 3 U23 games
CB	Taylor	Strong tackling; 3 interceptions per game
CB	Schofield	Good aerial duels; 6 clearances per match
LB	Sarr	Defensive solidity; 4 tackles per 90 min
DM	João Fernandes	Links midfield; 85 % pass accuracy
CM	Luka Jovic	Box‑to‑box energy; 2.1 key passes per game
CM	Mason Mount	creative spark; 0.5 goals per 90 min
RW	Wilfried Zaha	Dribbling threat; 1.3 prosperous dribbles per 90 min
ST	Leonard Mbewe	Physical presence; 0.4 goals per 90 min
LW	Ben Whiteman	Wide width; 0.7 assists per 90 min

Bench: Maguire, McKenna, Osei, Hogg, O’Connor

Key Tactical Shifts with Returning Players

1. Midfield dynamism – Fernandes’ deep‑lying play‑making allows Mount to occupy advanced spaces, creating a 4‑2‑3‑1 shape that can morph into a 4‑3‑3 in attack.
2. Width from full‑backs – Mainoo’s overlapping runs complement Zaha’s inverted winger role, pulling Brighton’s right‑back out of position and opening lanes for Whiteman.
3. Pressing intensity – With all three midfielders fit, Burnley can implement Kompany’s high‑press system from the sixth minute, aiming to win the ball in the final third and exploit Brighton’s occasional defensive lapses.

Fantasy Football Insights: Player Picks & Captaincy

• Captain pick: Mason Mount – high involvement in goals, favorable home fixture, and a probable 70 % minutes played.
• Budget enabler: João Fernandes – likely under £5.5m, regular starter, and a strong assist potential.
• Differential: Kwaku Mainoo – low ownership (<3 %) but a strong probability of an assist or goal contribution from set‑pieces.

Tip: Consider a “bench‑boost” strategy by including maguire as a defensive backup; his occasional clean‑sheet points could pay off if the match turns defensive after a brighton goal.

Brighton Seagulls: Anticipated Line‑up & Impact on Burnley

• GK: Mathew Ryan (consistent form)
• Defence: Trippier, Dunk, Joao Cancelo, Dan Burn – a balanced back‑four with Cancelo’s ability to drift inside, potentially neutralising Mainoo’s overlap.
• Midfield: Pascal groß, Moisés Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister – a trio offering both creative passes and box‑to‑box coverage.
• Attack: Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, James Ward-Prowse – a mix of pace, aerial prowess, and set‑piece expertise.

Strategic note: Brighton’s tendency to press high means Burnley’s midfield trio must stay compact. The presence of Cancelo will test Mainoo’s defensive positioning, making Fernandes’ covering ability crucial.

Match‑day Forecast & Betting Angles

• Over/Under 2.5 goals – With both sides favouring attacking intent, the “over 2.5” market shows value (Betfair odds 1.85).
• Both Teams to Score (BTTS) – Historical head‑to‑head (2023‑2025) indicates BTTS in 7 out of 10 matches; current odds of 1.70 suggest a safe play.
• First Scorer – Mason Mount at 5.60; his recent goal frequency (0.5 per 90 min) makes him a credible option.

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Sources: Burnley FC official statements (burnleyfootballclub.com, Jan 2026), Premier League match reports (premierleague.com, 2025/26 season), BBC Sport player statistics (bbc.co.uk/sport/football), Sky Sports injury updates (skysports.com/football).