Managerless Manchester United’s hopes of ending a topsy-turvy season with silverware went up in smoke when Danny Welbeck scored again against his former club and Brighton finally claimed a maiden FA Cup victory against the Red Devils.
A turbulent week which began with the dismissal of Ruben Amorim after a disappointing 14 months ended in disappointment as Darren Fletcher oversaw a third round elimination in what should be his final match as caretaker manager.
Brighton were knocked out by United in their previous six FA Cup matches between them, but they ended that hoodoo with a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford thanks to Brajan Gruda’s early effort and Welbeck’s eighth goal against his boyhood club.
Albion survived a late surge after Benjamin Sesko’s header, with teenage substitute Shea Lacey sent off for picking up two bookings as the Red Devils failed to reach the fourth round for the first time in 12 years.
It is the first time United have fallen at the first hurdle in both domestic competitions since 1981-82, meaning they will play just 40 competitive matches this season, their fewest in 111 years.
It means whoever is appointed on an interim basis among Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick will only have Premier League business to worry about, but the 17-point gap to leaders Arsenal means the club’s hopes of winning a trophy have realistically ended 11 days into 2026.
Fletcher received a warm welcome as he emerged from the tunnel and his team started well on Sunday, with two early saves from Jason Steele changing the course of this contest.
The back-up goalkeeper denied Diogo Dalot after being brought in by Matheus Cunha after just two minutes, then stopped a Bruno Fernandes strike from outside the area, providing the platform for Albion to take a 12th-minute lead.
Welbeck managed to intercept a cross that Georginio Rutter met with a header that Lisandro Martínez cleared off the line, with Gruda reacting quickest to smash home.
United should have defended better and goalkeeper Senne Lammens almost made things worse for his team when he saw a slow pass cut out by Welbeck, only to stop the veteran’s shot and see Rutter offside fluff the follow-up.
But there was little response from the Red Devils as the atmosphere turned flat at Old Trafford, where an unorthodox Fernandes free-kick and a Cunha effort were all that gave the home fans any hope before the break.
Fletcher tried to rally the crowd on his return, but there was little to celebrate during a disappointing and slow start to the second half.
Lacey and Joshua Zirkzee were introduced in a bid to change the dynamic, but moments later Brighton increased their lead.
Welbeck received a pass from Gruda and all too easily managed to touch and fire a shot in the 65th minute into the top left corner.
“Attack, attack, attack,” shouted the frustrated United fans as Sesko nodded broadly.
Teenager Lacey rose to his feet and Sesko saw a snapshot recorded as time expired, the summer signing providing hope with a header from Fernandes’ corner in the 85th minute.
United huffed and puffed, but a late equalizer eluded them, with Lacey, 18, receiving two quick yellows in a row – the second for dissent – as a bad day worsened late on.
