Manager Chris Hughton hopes his Brighton players can call on the memories of their first campaign in the Premier League to ensure that this one is just as successful.

The Seagulls were immediately installed as favourites for relegation after gaining promotion to the top-flight at the end of the 2016-17 season but defied expectations to finish 15th last term.

They now face the possibility of ‘second season syndrome’ as opposition teams know what they are all about and can prepare accordingly.

Things began poorly for the south-coast outfit as they returned pointless from last weekend’s trip to Vicarage Road, with Roberto Pereyra’s brace handing Watford a 2-0 win in Hertfordshire.

It is hardly going to get any easier on Sunday as Manchester United will be the visitors to the Amex Stadium and can be backed at 1.80 to leave with the spoils.

Brighton are on offer at 5.00 while the draw is priced at 3.50 and Hughton has called on his men to dig deep and remember how good it felt to prove people wrong last term.

“Our performance last weekend wasn’t at the level we except – I’m the one who now has to make decisions ahead of the weekend,” he said.

“We have to make sure that we use our experiences of last season and the good moments we had. I’d like to think with our additions that we’ll improve this year.”

The Red Devils began with a 2-1 win over Leicester City and taking anything from this weekend’s encounter will be seen as a bonus for the hosts.

“We have a realistic group of supporters but it’s only natural that expectations will rise,” added the manager.