FA Cup: Crisis-Hit Man United Dumped Out by Brighton in 2–1 Home Defeat

Manchester United’s woes deepened on Sunday as the managerless Red Devils were eliminated from the FA Cup following a 2–1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford.

Brighton took control in the first half through Brajan Gruda before former United forward Danny Welbeck struck after the interval to put the visitors firmly in command. Benjamin Sesko pulled one back late on, but it proved insufficient to prevent a third-round exit, with teenage substitute Shea Lacey sent off in the closing moments.

The defeat was met with loud jeers from angry home supporters, underlining the growing unrest around Old Trafford in what has been another turbulent season.

Caretaker manager Darren Fletcher has been unable to halt the decline since Ruben Amorim’s surprise dismissal earlier in the week. United are now searching for an interim boss to see out the remainder of the campaign, with former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-midfielder Michael Carrick both linked to the temporary role.

Despite the club’s illustrious history, the turmoil surrounding United has made the position far less attractive. Welbeck, now 35, was part of the United squad that won the Premier League in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson, who watched from the directors’ box as the current side’s struggles were laid bare.

United sit seventh in the Premier League and are without a win in four matches, recording just one victory in their last seven games. Their difficult run shows no sign of easing, with a Manchester derby at home next weekend followed by a trip to league leaders Arsenal on January 25.

Following an embarrassing League Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby in August, United have now been knocked out of both domestic competitions at the first stage for the first time since the 1981–82 season.

Brighton, meanwhile, continue to enjoy success at Old Trafford. Avenging their 2023 FA Cup semi-final defeat to United, the Seagulls have now won four of their last five visits to the ground.

United in turmoil

Kobbie Mainoo was handed just his second start of the season as Fletcher benched Casemiro in one of three changes from the midweek 2–2 draw at Burnley. Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele produced early saves to deny Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes.

Those misses proved costly. In the 12th minute, Welbeck drove forward and crossed for Georginio Rutter, whose header was cleared off the line by Lisandro Martinez before Gruda fired in from close range.

United looked disjointed, with chants directed at co-owners Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family echoing around the stadium. Fernandes and Matheus Cunha both went close, but boos greeted the hosts at the break.

Mainoo was withdrawn in the second half after an ineffective display, and Brighton doubled their lead in the 64th minute as United’s defensive frailties were again exposed. Gruda found Welbeck in space, and the former United striker rifled a superb finish past Senne Lammens.

Sesko’s 85th-minute header from a Fernandes corner sparked brief hope, but United failed to mount a comeback. Lacey’s dismissal for a second booking, after throwing the ball away in frustration, summed up a painful afternoon for the home side.

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