United team news: Kostoulas and Veltman return, Minteh to be assessed

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Albion travel to Old Trafford on Sunday.

2026-01-09T11:10+00:00

Babis Kostoulas made his first Premier League start last weekend in the 2-0 win over Burnley. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

Albion take on Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup third round at Old Trafford on Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm.

Team news

Joel Veltman missed Wednesday's game against Manchester City. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

Fabian Hurzeler is not expecting to have Solly March or Mats Wieffer available, while a late call will be made on Yankuba Minteh's involvement. There is more positive news on Babis Kostoulas and Joel Veltman.

"Yankuba will be assessed," the head coach said. "We need to see how far along he is today (Friday) in the training session. It's a dead leg, so there could be a chance but we have to see how he is. But dead legs sometimes needs time, sometimes they heal quicker.

"Babis Kostoulas and Joel Veltman should be available.

"It's too soon for Solly, he won't be in the squad. It's still too early for Mats to get involved, so he's ruled out."

The head coach does intend to change his line-up from Wednesday's draw at Manchester City.

"There will definitely be opportunities for others, but we will take this competition very seriously and see it as a big opportunity and that's why we only give players a chance who really deserve it. There will definitely be changes regarding the starting 11."

Their last line-up

Representing United at Turf Moor 💪⚪️
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 7, 2026

The Red Devils, under interim head coach Darren Fletcher, drew 2-2 with Burnley on Wednesday. Benjamin Sesko got both goals for his team.

Match facts

United have faced Brighton in six previous FA Cup ties and have been victorious in all six, most recently in the 2022-23 semi-final, winning 7-6 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Brighton have been eliminated from the FA Cup six times by United, the most they’ve ever been knocked out by one side. They’ve won three of their last four visits to Old Trafford – all in the Premier League – but did lose 4-2 there earlier this season.

Manchester United have been knocked out in the FA Cup third round in just two of their last 40 ties at this stage, losing 1-0 to Leeds United in 2009-10 and 2-1 to Swansea City in 2013-14.

Brighton have progressed from 14 of their last 16 FA Cup third round ties – the exceptions were against Hull in 2015-16 and Sheffield Wednesday in 2019-20, both 1-0 defeats.

Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha has scored in each of his last four FA Cup appearances, all for Wolves between January 2024 and March 2025. Only four Premier League players have scored in five in a row since 1992-93 – Marc Overmars (1998-1999), Darren Bent (2012-2014), Wayne Rooney (2011-2013) and Romelu Lukaku (2014-2016 & 2017-2018).

Match officials

Referee: Simon Hooper

Assistant Referees: Adrian Holmes & Simon Long

Fourth Official: Paul Tierney