Manchester United's FA Cup hopes were dashed at Old Trafford as Brighton & Hove Albion secured a 2-1 victory, a defeat witnessed by a trio of club legends in the directors' box.
Familiar Faces Watch United Fall
Sir Alex Ferguson was joined by former midfield stalwarts Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt for the third-round tie, which saw an old boy return to haunt his former club. Danny Welbeck, once of United, scored Brighton's decisive second goal midway through the second half after Brajan Gruda's opener.
The home side offered a late rally when Benjamin Sesko headed in with five minutes remaining, but any hope of a comeback was extinguished when 18-year-old substitute Shea Lacey was sent off in the final minute.
Revealing the Ticket Troubles
The appearance of Scholes and Butt was notable, as the pair have recently spoken candidly about their surprising difficulties in obtaining match tickets. Speaking on their podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Football, two months ago, Scholes revealed the club felt "very different" to the one they knew.
"I don't really know anybody there," Scholes admitted, a sentiment echoed by Butt, who recently worked at the club in an academy role. The situation led to an extraordinary admission from Scholes regarding sourcing tickets.
"I've had to ring a tout? Am I allowed to say that? Honestly, I know a tout," Scholes confessed when asked by a Salford lad for a couple of tickets.
Butt recounted his own baffling experience, revealing he received an email threatening to revoke his tickets for lack of use. Upon phoning to resolve it, he was asked, "Who am I speaking to, please?"
"I go, 'Nicky Butt,' and they go, 'OK, well, who's that?'" Butt said, with Scholes jokingly adding, "Is that the one who used to play for Newcastle?"
Interim Manager Search Intensifies
The cup exit piles more pressure on a club in transition, following the sacking of manager Ruben Amorim just last week after 14 months in charge. Michael Carrick has now emerged as the frontrunner for the interim head coach role, ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with an appointment possible before Saturday's crucial Manchester derby.
In the podcast discussion, Butt gave his view on the managerial situation, naming Thomas Tuchel as his first choice but offering a surprising outsider.
"Why not have a conversation with [Roy] Keane?" Butt suggested. "He would lead the dressing room... the fanbase would go whoom [together and upwards]. He might blow and cause problems, but he would put something in the changing room that it's not had for a long time."
Scholes agreed with his former teammate's assessment of Keane and also stated he would not appoint Gareth Southgate, Xavi, or Oliver Glasner. The club's hierarchy now faces critical decisions both on and off the pitch as a turbulent season continues.
