Brighton end Manchester United’s FA Cup run at Old Trafford

Manchester United’s turbulent season took another damaging turn on Sunday as they were eliminated from the FA Cup following a 2-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford.

Brighton seized control of the third-round tie when Brajan Gruda opened the scoring in the first half, before former United striker Danny Welbeck struck again after the interval. Although Benjamin Sesko pulled one back late on, the response came too late to prevent the Red Devils from crashing out, with teenager Shea Lacey dismissed in stoppage time.

United’s exit was met with loud jeers from disillusioned supporters as frustration continued to mount during a deeply troubled campaign.

Caretaker manager Darren Fletcher has been unable to arrest the slide since Ruben Amorim’s shock dismissal on Monday, with the club planning to install an interim manager until the end of the season. Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-midfielder Michael Carrick have both been linked with the temporary role, though the disorder surrounding Old Trafford has diminished the appeal of the position.

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Welbeck, now 35, was part of the United side that last lifted the Premier League title in 2013 under Alex Ferguson, who watched from the directors’ box as Brighton dismantled a team far removed from the standards of his era.

United sit a disappointing seventh in the Premier League and are now winless in four matches, recording just one victory in their last seven outings. Their struggles show little sign of easing, with Manchester City visiting next weekend before a trip to league leaders Arsenal on January 25.

The defeat also confirmed a bleak domestic cup campaign. After suffering a humiliating League Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby in August, United have now been knocked out of both competitions at the first stage for the first time since the 1981-82 season.

Brighton, meanwhile, continued their strong record at Old Trafford, winning for the fourth time in their last five visits and avenging their FA Cup semi-final defeat to United in 2023.

United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo made only his second start of the season, with Casemiro left on the bench as Fletcher made three changes following the midweek 2-2 draw at Burnley.

Early opportunities fell United’s way, but Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele produced fine saves to deny Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes. Those missed chances proved costly as Brighton took the lead in the 12th minute. Welbeck initiated the move with a driving run and cross to Georginio Rutter, whose header was cleared off the line by Lisandro Martinez before Gruda fired past Senne Lammens from close range.

With United struggling to find rhythm, chants against co-owners Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family echoed around the stadium. Fernandes sent a free-kick wide while Matheus Cunha narrowly missed the target, and United headed into the break to a chorus of boos.

Mainoo was withdrawn in the second half after an ineffective display that failed to justify Amorim’s limited use of him this season. United’s issues extended beyond midfield, and Brighton exposed their defensive frailties again in the 64th minute.

Given space inside the area, Gruda picked out Welbeck, who rifled a precise finish beyond Lammens to further inflame an already hostile atmosphere.

Sesko sparked a brief late rally when he headed home Fernandes’ corner in the 85th minute, but United were unable to mount a comeback. The evening ended fittingly in frustration as Lacey, already booked, was sent off for throwing the ball away in the dying moments.