Ruben Amorim acknowledges Manchester United's players are struggling to adapt to his preferred 3-4-3 system, as the Red Devils prepare to host Brighton on Sunday.

On Thursday, United looked destined to lose four straight Premier League games at Old Trafford for the first time, as they trailed bottom club Southampton with 10 minutes to play.

However, Amad Diallo scored a late hat-trick to spare their blushes and preserve their unbeaten start to 2025, following a 2-2 draw at Liverpool in the league and a penalty shoot-out win at Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Amorim knows they have plenty of work to do, though, pointing out their teething problems when speaking to TNT Sports after the Southampton win.

"They are not suited to playing like that. With the ball, you saw, we had some patterns," Amorim said.

"In the end it was good. A very difficult game, a game of two halves. They did a very good job, Southampton, by creating space in between the lines. 

"We had a lot of difficulty to stop them. When they lost their physicality, we found the space to use. The feeling is we have so much to do – the team is really tired.

"It was a win, it was good, but let's continue."

Opponents Brighton were also victorious on Thursday, though they were far more comfortable in a 2-0 win at Ipswich Town – their first league win since mid-November.

Having seen his team end an eight-match winless streak in the top flight, Fabian Hurzeler said: "It wasn't the best performance from us, but in the end, we controlled the game and were stable out of possession. 

"We created more chances in the second half, so we deserved to win. I am happy about it. We have suffered in this period and this win should give us belief and self-confidence. 

"Now we have to prepare for the next challenge. We are happy but there's only a short time to be happy. We have to focus on the next one."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes

Having been involved in six goals in his first four Premier League appearances against Brighton (four goals, two assists), Fernandes has not scored or assisted in any of his last six against the Seagulls.

Brighton – Danny Welbeck

Welbeck and Joao Pedro scored Brighton's goals in their 2-1 victory against United earlier this season. 

The only Seagulls player to score home and away against the Red Devils in the same Premier League campaign is Pascal Gross in 2018-19. After being rotated in midweek, could the former United striker replicate that feat?

MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER UNITED WIN

United have lost five of their last six Premier League games against Brighton (one win), including both meetings at Old Trafford in that run. Only against Manchester City (twice) have they ever lost three in a row at home in the competition.

Indeed, Brighton's 47% win rate against United in the Premier League is the highest recorded by any team in the competition's history, with the Seagulls triumphing seven times in 15 meetings.

None of those 15 games have been drawn, with United registering eight victories. Only Man United versus Wigan Athletic (16 times) has been played more often without a single draw in Premier League history.

This will be the sixth time Brighton have faced United in the Premier League while above them in the league table, and the latest into a season they have ever done so. Having lost the first two such matches, the Seagulls have now won each of the last three.

United, though, should be in buoyant mood after avoiding the ignominy of suffering four straight Premier League defeats on home soil. With Brighton only winning one of their last nine league games, the hosts are slight favourites.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Manchester United – 43.5% 

Brighton – 29.8%

Draw – 26.8%