Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that the club’s impressive summer signing, Yankuba Minteh, will be available to face Manchester United in this Saturday’s lunchtime Premier League fixture at the Amex Stadium.
Minteh, who joined the Seagulls for a fee of around £35 million from Newcastle United, has been a standout performer during the pre-season and the early stages of the new campaign. However, the Gambian international was forced off just before halftime in Brighton’s opening day 3-0 win at Everton due to a concussion injury.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Manchester United match, Hurzeler said: “There are clear rules for concussion in the Premier League, and it is important for the health of the player that we follow these. Yankuba Minteh will be available for the game against Manchester United.”
The news of Minteh’s availability is a significant boost for Brighton, as the 22-year-old has already demonstrated his quality and the potential to make a significant impact in the Premier League. Alongside Minteh, new signings Georginio Rutter and Brajan Gruda could also be in contention for a place in the starting lineup.
Rutter, who joined the club for a club-record fee of £40 million from Leeds United, has been praised by Hurzeler for his versatility and ability to find gaps in the opposition’s defense. The German manager also expressed his admiration for Rutter’s reaction when the team loses possession, highlighting his potential to be a valuable asset in both the attacking and defensive phases of the game.
Gruda, who confirmed his £25 million move from German club Mainz last Friday, could also play a role against Manchester United as Brighton continue to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
However, the news is not entirely positive for the Seagulls, as Pervis Estupinan (ankle), Evan Ferguson (foot), and Tariq Lamptey (unspecified) continue their recoveries and may miss the Manchester United match. Hurzeler acknowledged that the trio’s availability for the game could still be in doubt.
Additionally, Billy Gilmour is expected to feature against Manchester United, despite reports linking him with a move to Serie A club Napoli. Valentin Barco, on the other hand, could miss the match as he finalizes a loan move to La Liga club Sevilla.
The injuries to Julio Enciso (knee) and Igor Julio (unspecified), as well as the long-term absence of Solly March, will also be a concern for Hurzeler and his team as they prepare to take on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side.
Overall, the availability of Minteh and the potential contributions of Rutter and Gruda provide a significant boost for Brighton as they look to build on their impressive opening-day victory and mount a challenge for a top-half finish in the Premier League this season.
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