Brighton's Graham Potter talks up Manchester United test ahead of Old Trafford trip

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Graham Potter is "excited" to lock horns with Manchester United at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the new season, but is aware of the challenge his side are set to face.

Potter is preparing for his fourth season in the Brighton hotseat, while the Seagulls will be embarking on their sixth year in the top-flight this term.

The 47-year-old guided the South Coast outfit to a ninth-place finish last season, their highest-ever top-flight position since securing promotion from the Championship in 2017.

Having feared the prospect of relegation in previous years, Brighton finished 16 points clear of the bottom three last term and were only five points behind the European places.

Nevertheless, Potter has affirmed that Premier League survival remains the club's priority for the 2022-23 season.

© Reuters

The former Swansea City boss is now expecting a difficult test for his Seagulls side against a new-look Man United outfit, who are now managed by Erik ten Hag.

"It's a great way to start the season, and we're excited for it," Potter told reporters at a press conference on Friday ahead of Sunday's trip to Old Trafford.

"We have to keep improving this year, how we function and how we play. We have to fight to stay in the league and the ambition to improve."

"There's always pressure in the Premier League. We want to go to Old Trafford and perform. We know the size of challenge but we're excited."

Only four Premier League teams picked up more points than Brighton away from home last season, with the Seagulls accumulating 57% of their points on the road with seven victories and eight draws.

© Reuters

However, Brighton have lost each of their last seven visits to Old Trafford across all competitions, including the 2-0 league defeat in February – a game which saw Lewis Dunk sent off in between goals scored by Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.

Three months later, the Seagulls got their revenge on home soil as they cruised to an impressive 4-0 victory against the Red Devils, with Moises Caicedo, Pascal Gross, Leandro Trossard and Marc Cucurella all on the scoresheet.

Cucurella's goal was his one and only strike for the Seagulls last season, and he will not be adding to his tally on the South Coast after if was confirmed on Friday that he has completed a permanent move to Chelsea for a fee in excess of £60m.

Potter was keen to keep hold of the left-back this summer, but admits that the deal is a 'win-win' for all parties and he has wished the Spaniard well at Stamford Bridge.

Both Yves Bissouma and Cucurella have now left the Amex Stadium this summer, while centre-back Shane Duffy has also departed, joining newly-promoted Fulham on a season-long loan deal.

Meanwhile, Brighton have signed Levi Colwill from Chelsea on loan for the 2022-23 campaign, and the 19-year-old defender could be in contention to make his debut against Man United on Sunday.