Manchester United must perform better against Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.

United were on course to suffer a stunning defeat to a hopeless Southampton side during the week, but Amad scored a hat-trick in the last 10 minutes to complete a turnaround.

Southampton were the better side for most of the game and Brighton should provide a stiffer test at Old Trafford, as they have assembled a talented squad and are in the top half of the table.

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United have the opportunity to win three games on the bounce, though. Ruben Amorim's side have struggled for consistency, but the upcoming fixture list looks appealing, meaning United could build some much-needed momentum and finally make headway in the Premier League table.

So, here are the five things to look for in the game...

Amad's favourite position

I spoke to Amad in the mixed zone after the win against Southampton and he made me laugh when I asked him whether he prefers to play as one of the No.10s or at right wing-back.

"I prefer both," he replied. It was the kind of answer made by a player who is keen to stay in the manager's good books, although it will be impossible for Amad to fall out of favour with Amorim because he's been United's best player and is the favourite to win the Sir Matt Busby award.

"Playing at right wing-back, I know you have to do a lot of running, you have to attack and have to defend," he added. "Maybe I don't have the same quality as Nouss because I'm more of a forward than a defender, so I push more. I'm so happy to score a hat-trick but the most important thing is the win."

Amad's hat-trick means he is now the team's top goalscorer and, impressively, he's scored six goals in his previous eight appearances in all competitions. The youngster has also been directly involved in 16 goals, which means he's only second to Bruno Fernandes, who sits on 18.

Amorim started Amad at right wing-back on Thursday night because Diogo Dalot was suspended, but United struggled and it's logical to start the 22-year-old in a prominent position again.

From now until the end of the campaign, Amad is expected to make the majority of his appearances in the No.10 role and it will be fascinating to see whether his long-term future lies there.

Brighton will be confident

Although United won 2-0 against Brighton at the Amex Stadium on the final day of 2023/24, their record against the Seagulls hasn't been great since their promotion to the topflight.

There hasn't been a fear factor at Old Trafford for visitors for some time and Brighton have made light work of trips to Manchester. They are looking to earn a third consecutive league away win at United and the only club to have achieved that feat is Manchester City, on two separate occasions.

Brighton have won five of their past six games against United in the Premier League, and their 47 per cent win rate is the highest by any side against United in the competition's history.

That means Brighton are officially United's bogey team and they will be tricky opponents again.

Rashford absent at Old Trafford

Marcus Rashford's absence from the squad against Southampton wasn't a story given the situation has rumbled on for over a month now. Rashford was missing against Arsenal due to sickness, but it feels like he's being kept away from the squad ahead of a departure from the club this month.

There are two weeks left of the winter window and a quicker resolution would certainly be ideal. Rashford last played a competitive game against Viktoria Plzen on December 12 and is wasting weeks of the season by not playing, while an exit would help United bring someone else in.

Diogo Dalot, Mason Mount, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Tom Heaton sat in the directors' box against Southampton but Rashford wasn't there and that will probably be the case again.

The unwanted set-piece record

Southampton took the lead just before half-time on Thursday night and scored from a corner. Season ticket holders must be sick of watching United concede goals from set-pieces, and it's not surprising they have the joint-worst corner record in the league alongside Wolves.

The corner from Southampton was turned into the net by Manuel Ugarte, but it was embarrassing to see the diminutive Tyler Dibling win the initial header, which led to the own-goal.

United have conceded a shocking 10 Premier League goals from corners this term and Brighton will look to target that weakness, just like every other team has in the last two months.

Kukonki on the bench again?

Godwill Kukonki has made three squads in the Premier League this season and could be included again this weekend, given the injuries that a few senior players are recovering from.

Kukonki got a taste of first-team training when Amorim took his first session at Carrington in November and it's understood he was the only youngster to catch his eye.

The 16-year-old possesses all the qualities to excel in the men's game and it feels inevitable he will make a debut before the end of the season, which is something to look forward to.