Old Trafford Stunned: Brighton Dump Manchester United Out of FA Cup as Crisis Deepens

 Date: January 12, 2026
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester Score: Manchester United 1 - 2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Manchester United’s turbulent 2025/26 campaign hit a new low on Sunday evening as they were unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Cup in the Third Round by a clinical Brighton & Hove Albion side. In a match that highlighted the widening gap in cohesion between the two clubs, the Seagulls secured a historic 2-1 victory, marking their first-ever FA Cup win over the Red Devils.

The Match Narrative

Playing under interim manager Darren Fletcher following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim just days prior, United looked fragile from the outset. Brighton, managed by Fabian Hürzeler, wasted no time exploiting the hosts' defensive disarray.

The deadlock was broken early in the 12th minute. Brajan Gruda, who was a constant threat, capitalized on a rebound after Georginio Rutter’s initial header was cleared off the line by Lisandro Martínez. Gruda smashed the loose ball home, silencing the Old Trafford faithful and setting the tone for the afternoon.

While United enjoyed spells of possession, they lacked bite in the final third. The second blow—and ultimately the decisive one—came in the 64th minute from a familiar face. Danny Welbeck, continuing his habit of haunting his boyhood club, latched onto a pass from Gruda and fired an emphatic finish into the top corner. It was a moment of quality that underscored Welbeck’s enduring class and United’s defensive passivity.

Late Drama and Red Mist

United found a lifeline in the 84th minute when Benjamin Sesko rose highest to head home a Bruno Fernandes corner, sparking a brief flicker of hope for a comeback. The atmosphere inside Old Trafford shifted from resignation to desperate urgency.

However, that momentum was extinguished moments later by a moment of indiscipline. Teenager Shea Lacey, who had looked bright after coming off the bench, received a second yellow card in the 90th minute for slamming the ball into the turf in frustration. The red card killed United's rhythm, leaving them with ten men and no way back.

Key Talking Points

• The "Ex-Player" Curse: Danny Welbeck’s goal was his eighth against Manchester United since leaving the club. His intelligent movement and clinical finishing were a stark contrast to United’s disjointed attack for much of the game.

• United’s Season in Tatters: With this defeat, Manchester United have now exited both domestic cups at the first hurdle (having already lost in the Carabao Cup) for the first time since the 1981-82 season.

• Fletcher’s Impossible Job: Darren Fletcher, taking charge of his second game as interim boss, admitted post-match that the squad is "fragile." The lack of a permanent manager and a clear tactical identity was evident against a well-drilled Brighton unit.

• Seagulls Soar: For Brighton, this was a statement win. Despite missing key players like Lewis Dunk and Kaoru Mitoma from the starting XI, their squad depth and tactical discipline shone through.

What Comes Next?

For Brighton, the road to Wembley continues as they march into the Fourth Round with confidence high. For Manchester United, the inquest begins anew. With the club effectively out of the running for domestic silverware in January, the pressure now shifts entirely to salvaging a respectable Premier League finish and appointing a permanent successor who can rebuild a shattered team.

As the boos rang out at the final whistle, the message from the stands was clear: change is needed, and it cannot come soon enough.