However, Jose believes the Reds should be much stronger as his returning World Cup stars will have had a full week of training under their belts.

Jesse Lingard could make his first United appearance since last season’s Emirates FA Cup final, against a team he spent time on loan at in 2013/14, while Ashley Young could also return after his exploits with England in Russia, although Luke Shaw will hope to keep the left-back slot after scoring his first United goal, which proved decisive against Leicester.

“I think we will have the same players [as against Leicester],” Mourinho said. “I think the injured players aren’t going to be back for Brighton. What we have is Paul [Pogba] with nine days' training, [Marcus] Rashford with 11 days' training, [Marouane] Fellaini with nine days' training and, of course, they will be in a better condition.