Manchester United’s woes deepened as the managerless Red Devils crashed out of the FA Cup following a 2–1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday.
Brajan Gruda gave Brighton the lead in the first half at Old Trafford before former United striker Danny Welbeck struck after the break. Benjamin Šeško pulled one back late on, but it was not enough to prevent a third-round exit, with teenage substitute Shea Lacey sent off in the closing moments.
United were greeted with loud jeers from frustrated supporters at full-time, marking another miserable result in a deeply troubled season.
Caretaker manager Darren Fletcher has been unable to halt the slide since Ruben Amorim’s shock dismissal on Monday, with the club now searching for an interim manager to see out the campaign. Former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-midfielder Michael Carrick have both been linked with the temporary role.
Regardless of United’s history, the turmoil engulfing Old Trafford has made the position far less appealing for any manager of stature.
Welbeck, now 35, was part of the United side that won the club’s last Premier League title in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson, who watched Sunday’s defeat from the directors’ box as the current team underlined how far they have fallen from that golden era.
United sit a disappointing seventh in the Premier League and are without a win in four matches, managing just one victory in their last seven. That run looks unlikely to improve, with a Manchester derby at home next weekend followed by a trip to league leaders Arsenal on January 25.
After a humiliating League Cup defeat to fourth-tier Grimsby in August, United have now exited both domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle for the first time since the 1981–82 season.
Brighton, meanwhile, continued their strong record at Old Trafford, winning four of their last five visits and avenging their FA Cup semi-final defeat to United in 2023.
United began the match with Kobbie Mainoo making only his second start of the season, while Casemiro was left on the bench as Fletcher made three changes from the midweek 2–2 draw at Burnley.
Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele made early saves to deny Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, but the visitors capitalised on those escapes to take the lead in the 12th minute. Welbeck sparked the move with a driving run and cross to Georginio Rutter, whose header was cleared off the line by Lisandro Martínez before Gruda fired home from close range.
United were already in disarray, with chants aimed at co-owners Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family echoing around the stadium. Fernandes curled a free kick wide, while Matheus Cunha narrowly missed the target as boos rang out at half-time.
Mainoo was withdrawn in the second half following a subdued performance, and Brighton doubled their advantage in the 64th minute. Gruda was afforded too much space before picking out Welbeck in the area, and the former United forward produced a fine finish past Senne Lammens.
Šeško gave United brief hope by heading in Fernandes’ corner in the 85th minute, but there was no late escape. Lacey, already booked, was sent off for throwing the ball away in frustration, bringing a fitting end to a painful afternoon for the hosts.
