Ex-Manchester United striker Michael Owen is expecting the Red Devils to edge a close contest versus Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex tomorrow.

The BT Sport pundit was not impressed with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer side’s performance in the opening day defeat against Crystal Palace and he feels the Seagulls’ good form could make this a tricky affair for the away side:

“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can point to a lack of rest and preparation time between the end of last season and the start of this but he will be expecting much more from his team and I expect a fully-fired up Manchester United to come away from the South Coast with all three points. I’m going with a closely fought 1-0 victory to United.”

United have looked pretty lacklustre in their first two competitive games of the season against Palace and Luton. Some of that can be attributed to their fitness levels, as Owen mentions, but they will have to be on their game if they want to get the win tomorrow.

It must be pointed out, though, that Solskjaer’s men did win 3-0 against Brighton in the last encounter between the two teams back in June and supporters will be hoping that they can replicate that result, and get their Premier League campaign up and running.