Manchester United’s FA Cup campaign came to an abrupt and painful end on January 11, 2026, as Brighton secured a dramatic 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, delivering a fresh blow to a club already mired in uncertainty and transition. With Darren Fletcher still at the helm as interim manager following the recent sacking of Ruben Amorim, United’s hopes for silverware this season were dashed by a determined Brighton side hungry for revenge after their 1983 final heartbreak.
The match, broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and watched by millions across the UK, began with an air of anxious optimism for United fans. The confirmed line-ups saw Lammens between the sticks for United, backed by a defense of Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, and Dorgu. The midfield trio of Ugarte, Mainoo, and Bruno Fernandes looked to supply creativity to Mount, Cunha, and Sesko up front. Brighton, managed by the ambitious Fabian Hurzeler, countered with Steele in goal, a defensive line of Veltman, Boscagli, Coppola, and Kadioglu, and a midfield of Hinshelwood, Gross, and Gruda, with Georginio, Welbeck, and Gomez leading the attack.
From the opening whistle, United appeared to have the upper hand, pressing forward and testing Brighton’s resolve. Yet, as is so often the case in the FA Cup, early dominance does not always guarantee results. In the 12th minute, Brighton’s Brajan Gruda capitalized on a rare chance, slotting home past Lammens to give the visitors a shock lead. Gruda’s strike stunned the home crowd and forced United onto the back foot. Brighton’s belief was palpable, with Gruda later telling TNT Sports, “I’m very happy – it’s the first time I have won at Old Trafford. We had a good day, we really enjoyed it and I can see the fans enjoyed it as well! The belief is always there. Everyone believes in each other and we can achieve anything.”
United’s response was urgent but fraught with anxiety. Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession in the first half, they struggled to break through a resolute Brighton defense marshaled by Steele, who drew praise for his commanding performance. The first half ended 1-0 in Brighton’s favor, and the atmosphere in Old Trafford grew tense as memories of previous cup exits resurfaced.
At halftime, Fletcher challenged his team to inject more tempo and purpose into their play. “We started OK and then the goal knocked the stuffing out of us. I challenged them at half-time to move the ball with tempo instead of just composure. When we got back to 2-1 I thought here we go, the crowd was up, the energy was up but we couldn't get it over the line and get an equalising goal,” Fletcher reflected post-match. He added, “I think you could see the players are fragile but they've got to respond. Confidence is one of the most powerful things in football so when you don't have it, you have to dig deep and then the confidence comes back.”
Brighton, for their part, continued to play with discipline and counter-attacking intent. The second half brought more frustration for United, who could not convert their possession into meaningful chances. Then, in the 65th minute, Old Trafford was silenced once more as former United striker Danny Welbeck doubled Brighton’s lead. Welbeck, who has now scored eight times against his old club, finished with aplomb after a well-worked move. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Welbeck said, “It's massive. To come here in the FA Cup, it's always a massive occasion. Delighted to get to the next round, there are a few boys who haven't been playing regularly, so to get the performance is huge. We're buzzing inside the dressing room.” On his goal, he added, “It was a good first touch, knew I had to get a clean strike on it. When the ball's coming across, you know where the defenders are, the second touch has to be a shot on goal. It was nice to get that clean connection on it.”
United’s situation went from bad to worse late on when teenage substitute Shea Lacey, making his FA Cup debut, was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for dissent. Fletcher criticized the officiating, stating, “Shea Lacey's yellow card is ridiculous compared to the fouls that we had against us all game, which ultimately then the lad makes a mistake and is sent off. For me, it is poor refereeing. He's disappointed because he cares and he understands and he knows he will learn from it. There is no doubt about his talent and it was a steep learning curve today but we believe in Shea.”
Despite being reduced to ten men, United managed a late rally. In the 85th minute, Benjamin Sesko pulled one back, igniting hope among the home supporters. The stadium erupted as United poured forward in search of an equalizer, but Brighton’s defense held firm. Diogo Dalot summed up the mood in the dressing room: “We created enough to win the game to be honest. Then the red card gave us a disadvantage because we were on top of Brighton in the last moments. Overall very disappointed because we wanted to go through. All the lads kept trying to find spaces, like I said really disappointed because I think we deserved to win.”
The final whistle brought a mixture of frustration and resignation among United fans, who voiced their disappointment but stopped short of outright hostility. Fletcher acknowledged the fans’ feelings, remarking, “The fans weren't happy at the end but they have got every right to air their grievances. It wasn't toxic but they showed their disappointment. I'm sure if the players show the right reaction, the fans will get behind them like they always do because there is still a lot to play for in the Premier League this season.”
For Brighton, the victory was historic—their first ever FA Cup win over Manchester United, avenging the bitter defeat of 1983. Manager Fabian Hurzeler was quick to praise his squad and the traveling supporters: “We always have the belief to compete with the best teams. You need to have this if you want to achieve something. We are a club with ambition.”
For Manchester United, the defeat marked a new low in a season already defined by instability. The club’s early exits from both domestic cups mean they will play just 40 games this season, their fewest in over a century. The managerial carousel continues, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick both interviewed for the role after the match, while Ruud van Nistelrooy remains in contention. Fletcher’s own candidacy may have been dealt a fatal blow by this result.
As United lick their wounds and turn their attention back to the Premier League, the sense of a season slipping away is hard to ignore. For Brighton, the dream of FA Cup glory lives on, and their supporters will savor a famous night at Old Trafford for years to come.
