FALMER — Brighton and Hove Albion will host Manchester United at the American Express Stadium on Sunday, with the seventh-placed hosts targeting European qualification on the final day of the Premier League season. Brighton can still secure a place in the Europa League or the Conference League depending on results elsewhere.

The match would mark Brighton's second European campaign. Their only previous experience in continental competition was reaching the Europa League last 16 in the 2023-24 season. Brighton have won 47% of their Premier League matches against Manchester United, the highest win rate any side has achieved against United in the competition. At home, that figure rises to 63%. None of the 17 Premier League meetings between the clubs have ended in a draw.

Brighton also eliminated Manchester United from the FA Cup at the third round stage in January, and United have lost six of their last eight Premier League matches against Brighton. United are aiming to complete a league double over Brighton for the first time since the 2020-21 season.

Danny Welbeck will make his 400th Premier League appearance if selected, becoming the 46th player to reach that mark. Welbeck spent six years in Manchester United's first team, making 92 Premier League appearances for the club. He has scored eight goals against United, more than against any other side. This season he has played 36 Premier League matches and scored 13 goals, both career highs for a single top-flight campaign.

United have already secured Champions League qualification for next season and will finish third regardless of Sunday's result. Manager Michael Carrick has signed a contract to remain in charge until 2028. His points-per-game average of 2.25 is the highest of any manager in the Premier League this season, compared with the 2.34 figure achieved by Sir Alex Ferguson in the 2012-13 campaign. Carrick made 36 Premier League appearances that season, a career high during his playing days. Bruno Fernandes has registered 20 assists in the current Premier League season, tying the single-season record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.