We are capable of winning at Old Trafford, says Brighton boss Hughton

Brighton must go to Manchester United with the belief they have earned the right to pull off a shock win, according to manager Chris Hughton.

The Seagulls head to Old Trafford in ninth place following a solid opening to a first campaign back in the top flight for 34 years, which has seen them go unbeaten in the past five matches.

Despite the prospect of coming up against one of the Premier League's most formidable sides at a venue where United have not lost since September 2016, Hughton sees no reason to think his men cannot spring a surprise.

Asked at a press conference if Brighton could "turn over" Jose Mourinho's team, Hughton said: "Of course we can, but we know what we would have to do to do that and there certainly aren't many teams at our level that are going to go there and win.

"You know you have got to play at a very high level and you have certainly got to have that bit of luck that goes with a win away from home at any one of the big clubs.

"But these are the days you have worked so hard for as a team and what you got promotion for and the excitement of going to this type of stadium.

"There is no doubt we all know what Manchester United means, the stadium, the club and the history, but it is certainly a nicer place if you have come away from there and given a decent account of yourself - it is certainly not the best of places if you don't."

Brighton have never won at Old Trafford, but Hughton is not about to let that worry his team.

" You can't go there with fear because if you do then it's inevitable what will happen. You have to go there with a belief and a confidence that you can get something," the Brighton boss said, in quotes published on skysports.com.

"For all the things said about the stats and nobody expecting us to get a win, at some stages teams do and surprise everybody."

"The pressure is off because of expectations."

Hughton added: "I am being realistic when I say that a large majority of people in football would not expect us to get a result on Saturday.

"In some ways that's not a bad starting position because it takes the pressure off the team and we know that anything that we can get will be a bonus.

"But we are going there in good form and have been a good team so far this season.

"What is important is that you stay in the game because these are the types of games that if you don't, then you can get beat big."