Roberto De Zerbi a doubt for Man Utd clash after he is forced to cancel press conference due to illness
ROBERTO DE ZERBI could miss tomorrow night’s clash with Manchester United due to illness.
The Brighton boss is at home unwell and while the Seagulls are hopeful he will be able to be on the touchline at The Amex it is not clear at this stage.
De Zerbi cancelled his usual pre-match press conference ahead of the Manchester United game, which was set to take place on Wednesday afternoon.
With the Italian at home recuperating, his assistant and housemate Andrea Maldera will take training.
Should De Zerbi miss the game, it will not be the first time his side have had to play without their manager barking from the technical area.
The former Sassuolo boss has already been given a touchline ban twice this season, with the Seagulls getting on fine with their boss in the stands.
De Zerbi, 43, watched his side smash West Ham 4-0 from the stands for his first ban while the second time around they beat Grimsby 5-0 in the FA Cup.
Should Maldera have to take charge from the sidelines once again, De Zerbi has full confidence in the 51-year-old.
Asked about his assistant leading the way for the West Ham game in March, De Zerbi said: “Andrea is a very important assistant for me.
“We are living together. We stay together from 8.30 (in the morning) until ten in the evening. We are like a family.”
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Victory over Manchester United would see the Seagulls jump to sixth in the table as they continue their pursuit of a Europa League finish.
It also gives them a chance to get revenge on the Red Devils after last month’s FA Cup semi-final defeat on penalties.
De Zerbi has made a big impact since replacing Graham Potter in September and has already guided Brighton to 52 points, one more than last season with seven games remaining.