Brighton and Hove Albion Fan View: Forget United, Seagulls must target Crystal Palace win

Brighton boss Chris Hughton should be looking to rest players at Manchester United on Saturday – because there is a bigger game ahead.

At the risk of being called loopy, give me the choice of a shock 5-0 thumping of Jose Mourinho’s men at Old Trafford or a flukey 1-0 win against Crystal Palace at the Amex on Tuesday and I wouldn’t even pause for thought. It would have to be beating Palace.

Most Brighton fans would agree, certainly those of a slightly older generation who were brought up on a great rivalry with Palace in the 1970s when classic clashes include Brighton boss Alan Mullery giving the V-sign to Palace fans.

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In more recent years there have been a lot less matches against Palace – in fact, just ten clashes since 1989 – but it remains the biggest game on the calendar to most of us supporters when it comes around.

Of course, it is great to be playing Manchester United at Old Trafford in league action, which is something we have not done since March 1983. We have not actually played United in any competition since 1993, so this is a match to relish but Tuesday’s match with Palace has to be prioritised.

That is why I believe Hughton should look at some squad rotation at Old Trafford. After playing Stoke on Monday when we named an unchanged team for a fourth game in a row, the Palace match will be a third in nine days for a squad which is not only dealing with the physical requirements of the Premier League but also the mental challenges presented by playing in the top-flight of English football for the first time in 34 years.

Our captain Bruno, at 37, could probably do with a rest, which would not be a problem as we have Ezequiel Schelotto waiting in the wings. Others like Anthony Knockaert, Glenn Murray and Gaetan Bong could also take a well-earned break with Tuesday in mind with Solly Match, Tomer Hemed and Markus Suttner ready to step in without severely weakening the side. There is even a case for giving Pascal Gross a day off and going with Izzy Brown in that role. It would not be disrespectful to rest players, it is simply part of the modern game and I am sure Mourinho will be rotating his squad after playing Basel in the Champions League on Wednesday.

In truth, no one expects Brighton to get anything from Saturday’s game, despite an excellent five-match unbeaten run. It is a free match, when we have nothing to lose. However, to lose at United with a full-strength side and then to lose to Palace with players running on low batteries would be a big disappointment. I have never been a big fan of squad rotation and it is not something Brighton tend to do apart from in cup games, but there is a time and a place for it.

I’m sure Chris Hughton will do the right thing. Regardless of any rivalry, he knows Tuesday is a match we should be targeting for three points, particularly with some tough tests to come in December including the likes of Liverpool the following week and Chelsea later in the month.

That is why I would use the fuller resources of the squad at Old Trafford and that is why I would choose a Palace win over three points against United. Although, if you were offering me both I would happily take it!

@GriggoHome