Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping the return of Eric Bailly will bolster Manchester United's leaky defence after they allowed three goals in their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace.
United's centre-back partnership of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof came under fire following their display against Palace, with the 3-1 defeat highlighting the club's need for a more dynamic presence in defence.
A knee injury limited Bailly to 11 appearances last season but the Ivorian looked assured in United's 3-0 victory against Luton Town in the League Cup on Tuesday.
"Eric is fit again, a big, big plus and looking forward to seeing him develop and play more games. We've been waiting him to be fit and play more regularly," Solskjaer said ahead of Saturday's trip to Brighton.
"I think last season proved to us how we can defend at our best, last week wasn't fantastic, we conceded sloppy goals, but I think our defensive record from last season with Eric and Harry shows how good a partnership they were."
Saturday's game will be the first of a double header against Brighton, with United set to visit the Amex Stadium for their League Cup fourth-round tie next week.
"We have to take it one game at a time, the Premier League first and all our focus is on that. We had a bad start last week and we want kick on and play a better game," Solskjaer added.
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Premier League weekend predictions
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SATURDAY - Brighton v Manchester United (3.30pm kick off UAE): An absolute shocker for Manchester United in their season's opener, beaten 3-1 at Old Trafford by Crystal Palace. Hopes were high for a big campaign from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team, and one defeat can soon be overcome. But on the other hand, a bad result at Brighton - beaten by Chelsea last week - would be real cause for concern. Prediction: Brighton 1 Manchester United 3. PA -
Crystal Palace v Everton (6pm): Palace are flying after their classy win at Manchester United followed an opening day victory over Southampton. And so will Everton after wins at Tottenham and home to West Brom. A top-of-the-table clash at Selhurst Park - who would have predicted that! Prediction: Crystal Palace 1 Everton 2. Getty -
West Brom v Chelsea (8.30pm): West Brom have conceded eight in two games, after the 3-0 defeat home to Leicester and 5-2 at Everton. Chelsea, inspired by new £71 million signing Kai Kavertz, stuck six past Barnsley on Wednesday night. Might not be much fun for the Baggies. Prediction: West Brom 1 Chelsea 4. EPA -
Burnley v Southampton (11pm): The Saints were supposed to be good this season, after a strong finish to the 2019/20 campaign, but have lost both games, at Palace and home to Spurs. Burnley have only played once in the Premier League, a 4-2 defeat at Leicester. Both very keen to get off the mark. Prediction: Burnley 1 Southampton 0. Getty -
SUNDAY - Sheffield United v Leeds (3pm): A lip-smacking no-holds-barred Yorkshire derby, with the Blades yet to notch a point, and Leeds having conceded seven in two - but winning one of them 4-3, against Fulham. Not one for the faint hearted, and probably far few goals. Prediction: Sheffield United 1 Leeds 1. Reuters -
Tottenham v Newcastle (5pm): Could be a cracker at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After a dour defeat home to Everton, Jose Mourinho's side found their shooting boots with a 5-2 win at Southampton. Newcastle can be fabulous ... or rank awful. Prediction: Tottenham 3 Newcastle 2. EPA -
Manchester City v Leicester (7.30pm): A delayed start for Manchester City, but then a fine 3-1 win at Wolves. Leicester are top of the table (again), and this will be a tough test for both sides and perhaps an indication of City - or indeed both - can truly challenge Liverpool this term. Prediction: Manchester City 2 Leicester 1. AFP -
West Ham v Wolverhampton Wanderers (1pm): Zero points for the Hammers, and a lack of spirit which is as much of a concern as the defeats. Wolves will be keen to bounce back from the Manchester City defeat - and if they do, there will be some worried looks at West Ham. Prediction: West Ham 1 Wolves 2. AFP -
MONDAY - Fulham v Aston Villa (8.45pm): Fulham were expected to struggle and they have so far, with defeats against Leeds and Arsenal. This might be a better opportunity to get off the mark, though Villa will fancy this after beating Sheffield United. Prediction: Fulham 0 Aston Villa 1. AP -
Liverpool v Arsenal (11pm): A belter to round off the match week. Mikel Arteta thinks Arsenal are evolving in the right way. We'll know if he's right after this trip to the champions, who are two wins from two. Prediction: Liverpool 3 Arsenal 1. EPA
