Manchester United’s FA Cup journey came to a screeching halt at Old Trafford on January 11, 2026, as Brighton & Hove Albion claimed a 2-1 win in the third round, further compounding a season already marked by disappointment. The loss, United’s second early cup exit of the campaign, leaves the Red Devils with only league fixtures to contest and no realistic hope of silverware before May.
Brighton, led by Fabian Hurzeler, arrived at Old Trafford with a patchwork lineup missing several regular starters. Yet, the Seagulls proved resilient, capitalizing on United’s defensive frailties and managerial uncertainty. Former Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck returned to haunt his old club, playing a pivotal role in both Brighton goals and underscoring the sense of missed opportunity for the hosts.
The match began with United interim boss Darren Fletcher naming a familiar starting eleven, though giving a rare nod to academy product Kobbie Mainoo in midfield. Fletcher, overseeing just his second game after the sacking of Ruben Amorim, was hoping for a positive response following a 2-2 draw at Burnley earlier in the week. The lineup featured Lammens in goal; Yoro, Martinez, Dalot, and Dorgu across the back; Ugarte and Mainoo in midfield; and an attacking trio of Mount, Cunha, Fernandes, and Sesko up front.
Brighton, meanwhile, were forced to shuffle their pack. With Mats Wieffer and Solly March out injured, and key players like Bart Verbruggen, Yasin Ayari, and Kaoru Mitoma unavailable for much of the match, Hurzeler handed opportunities to others. The Seagulls’ starting eleven included Steele, Veltman, Boscagli, Coppola, Kadioglu, Gross, Gomez, Hinshelwood, Rutter, Gruda, and Welbeck.
Despite the changes, Brighton struck first. In the 12th minute, Welbeck spun away from Mason Mount on the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. United’s defense, already looking shaky, failed to clear the danger as Lisandro Martinez blocked a header from Georginio Rutter. The ball fell kindly to Brajan Gruda, who smashed home from close range. The early setback rattled United, who struggled to regain their composure.
United’s response was tepid. While they enjoyed more possession and created some half-chances—most notably through Diogo Dalot on the right—the cutting edge was missing. Mainoo, making just his second start of the season, showed flashes of composure and strength in midfield but found it difficult to influence proceedings decisively. According to The Athletic, "From the first minute, he was looking for the ball even in tight spaces... There were some nice touches and his passing, although mainly conservative in the first half, retained possession."
At halftime, the score remained 1-0 to Brighton, with the home crowd growing restless. Fletcher made changes early in the second half, introducing Shea Lacey and Joshua Zirkzee for Mount and Mainoo in the 62nd minute. The substitutions injected some urgency, but Brighton’s defense held firm.
Brighton doubled their lead in the 64th minute. Gruda turned provider this time, slipping a clever pass through to Welbeck, who made no mistake with a powerful left-footed finish past Senne Lammens. The goal was a dagger to United’s hopes, and the Old Trafford faithful could only watch in frustration as a former favorite celebrated.
United pressed forward in search of a lifeline, and it finally arrived in the 84th minute. Benjamin Sesko rose highest at the back post to head home from a corner, giving the Red Devils a sliver of hope. The atmosphere briefly crackled with belief—could there be a late twist?
But any chance of a dramatic comeback evaporated when substitute Shea Lacey, who had brought some spark off the bench, was sent off in the 90th minute for a second bookable offense after throwing the ball away in frustration. Down to ten men, United’s efforts fizzled out, and Brighton held on for a deserved victory.
The defeat means United have now exited both domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle, a feat not seen since the 1981-82 season. With no European football on the horizon, the club will play just 40 matches this season—their fewest since 1914-15. The financial and sporting implications are significant, with lost revenue from gate receipts and prize money compounding the on-field disappointment.
Fletcher, who remains in interim charge amid ongoing speculation about the next permanent manager, cut a dejected figure in his post-match press conference. "We’re bitterly disappointed because it is the FA Cup," he admitted. "We are disappointed with the result and some moments in the game. We took too long to respond to the first goal. The players are down and hurt… There is still a lot to play for this season. These players have the ability to qualify for the Champions League and that should be their mindset. The players have to get together and find a way of improving quickly—don’t waste the season."
The managerial situation at Old Trafford remains unresolved, with former players Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rumored to be in the running for the caretaker position. Fletcher’s brief audition has yielded just a draw and a defeat, and the pressure is mounting for the club’s hierarchy to make a decisive appointment.
For Brighton, the victory represents a welcome boost in a season that has seen mixed Premier League form. The Seagulls have now won four of their last six visits to Old Trafford and will hope this cup run can inject fresh momentum into their campaign. Coach Fabian Hurzeler praised his side’s resilience and hinted at further rotation in upcoming fixtures, stating before the match, "There will definitely be opportunities for others... We will take this competition very seriously and see it as a big opportunity."
Looking ahead, Manchester United’s focus shifts solely to the league. With their next fixture against Manchester City looming on January 17, there is little time to dwell on this latest setback. The challenge now is to regroup, restore confidence, and mount a push for a top-four finish to salvage some pride—and European football—for next season.
As the dust settles at Old Trafford, the mood is one of frustration and uncertainty. The FA Cup dream has ended at the first hurdle, and the search for answers—both on and off the pitch—continues for Manchester United.
