Manchester United's dismal season in cup competitions has reached a new low after they were eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round, suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. This result means the Red Devils have now been knocked out of every domestic and European cup at their first attempt this campaign.
Old Trafford Hoodoo Continues
The damage was done by first-half strikes from Brighton's Brajan Gruda and former United striker Danny Welbeck. A late headed consolation from Benjamin Sesko offered a glimmer of hope, but it proved too little, too late for a disjointed United side. The loss ensures that interim manager Darren Fletcher has failed to win either of his two matches in temporary charge, with the club expected to name a caretaker manager until season's end imminently.
Player Ratings: A Day to Forget for United's Defence
The individual performances told a story of a team struggling for cohesion and confidence. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens was rated 5.5 after a nervy error early on, though he did make partial amends with a save. The defensive unit fared poorly, with Diogo Dalot (4.5) missing a crucial early chance and Lisandro Martinez (5) questioned for his role in Brighton's opener.
In midfield, the pivot of Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo was overwhelmed, both receiving 5/10 ratings. Mason Mount was a peripheral figure on the right wing, earning a 4.5, while the creative burden fell heavily on Bruno Fernandes (6.5), who provided the assist for Sesko's goal.
Substitutes Shea Lacey and Joshua Zirkzee made little impact, while the introductions of Casemiro and Harry Maguire provided minimal late stability. In contrast, Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler outmanoeuvred his counterpart tactically, with his players executing a disciplined and effective press throughout.
Consequences and What Comes Next
This early FA Cup exit compounds a miserable period for the club, leaving the Premier League as their only remaining focus for the season. The pressure now intensifies on the board to swiftly appoint a caretaker manager who can stabilise the squad. For Darren Fletcher, his brief stint in the dugout ends without a victory, highlighting the deep-rooted issues at Old Trafford that a new permanent manager must address in the summer.
