FA Cup semi-final: Brighton's 9.5m ace to start against Manchester United

Julio Enciso will make his third start for Brighton at Wembley this afternoon as they attempt to make their first FA Cup final in forty years.
The Albion are aiming to reach their second-ever FA Cup final when they face Erik ten Hag’s side at Wembley, knowing a victory will book them a spot in the coveted match on June 3 against Manchester City. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)The Albion are aiming to reach their second-ever FA Cup final when they face Erik ten Hag’s side at Wembley, knowing a victory will book them a spot in the coveted match on June 3 against Manchester City. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The Albion are aiming to reach their second-ever FA Cup final when they face Erik ten Hag’s side at Wembley, knowing a victory will book them a spot in the coveted match on June 3 against Manchester City. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The Paraguayan forward has been named in Roberto De Zerbi’s starting line-up for the semi-final with Manchester United, knowing a victory will book them a spot in the final on June 3 against Manchester City.

Enciso grabbed the headlines last weekend in Brighton’s 2-1 win against Chelsea, when he won the game for the Seagulls with a thirty-yard wonder strike.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 19-year-old joined Brighton last summer from Libertad for £9.5m and has only started games in the EFL Cup this year, against Forest Green and Arsenal.

Enciso grabbed the headlines last weekend in Brighton’s 2-1 win against Chelsea, when he won the game for the Seagulls with a thirty-yard wonder strike. . (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Enciso grabbed the headlines last weekend in Brighton’s 2-1 win against Chelsea, when he won the game for the Seagulls with a thirty-yard wonder strike. . (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Enciso grabbed the headlines last weekend in Brighton’s 2-1 win against Chelsea, when he won the game for the Seagulls with a thirty-yard wonder strike. . (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

He has made a total 16 appearance in all competitions this season, scoring two goals.

Enciso comes in for Joel Veltman, who has been named among the substitutes, after he came off with an injury in the Chelsea win.

Evan Ferguson was also stretched off the Stamford Bridge and has not recovered in time for today’s game, meaning Danny Welbeck is recalled the side, having scored the equaliser last Saturday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

HAVE YOU READ THIS?

Pascal Gross is expected to fill in at right-back, With Dunk and Webster remaining as the preferred centre-back pairing, and Estupinan on the left.

Robert Sanchez also remains in goal, having been re-called to the side last Saturday, as Jason Steele returns to the squad on the bench, after being out for a week with a knock.

Mac Allister will drop back into his defensive midfielder role, alongside Moises Caicedo, with Solly March and Karou Mitoma playing in their regular winger roles.