On January 12, the third round of the FA Cup took place at Old Trafford, where Manchester United hosted Brighton & Hove Albion.
The match was played at a high tempo with intense physical battles, but United never truly seized control. They ultimately fell 1–2 at home and were eliminated in the third round.
First Half: Brighton Strike First as United Miss Chances
United created an early opening just two minutes after kickoff. Cunha controlled the ball in midfield and threaded a through pass for Dalot, who burst forward to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, his low effort was well saved by Brighton keeper Steele.
In the 7th minute, United won a free kick in the attacking third. Bruno Fernandes combined with Mainoo before unleashing a long-range effort, which was again blocked and turned away for a corner.
Brighton took the lead in the 12th minute. After a long switch of play from the back, Gómez carried the ball forward and slipped a pass through the middle.
Welbeck overlapped down the left and delivered a low cross into the box. Rutter’s header was parried by Onana, but Gruda reacted quickest to convert the rebound, giving United a 0–1 deficit.
United’s back line looked unsettled thereafter. In the 13th minute, a poor pass from Onana nearly led to another goal. Cunha and Fernandes both tried their luck from distance and from a free kick, respectively, but neither attempt found the net. Brighton went into the break with a one-goal advantage.
Second Half: Welbeck Punishes His Former Club, United’s Comeback Falls Short
After the restart, United pushed forward in search of an equaliser. In the 52nd minute, Fernandes delivered a free kick into the box, where Lisandro Martínez attempted a clever back-heel finish at the near post, only to send it over the bar.
Brighton doubled their lead in the 64th minute. Rutter received the ball outside the box, turned away from pressure, and laid it off. Welbeck took a touch to create space before firing a powerful left-footed strike into the top-left corner, scoring against his former club and making it 0–2.
Trailing by two goals, United kept pressing. Lacey, Šeško, and Dorgu all posed threats, but the breakthrough proved elusive. In the 85th minute, Fernandes’ corner found Šeško at the far post, and the striker rose above the defence to head home, pulling one back and setting up a tense finish at 1–2.
However, United’s hopes were dashed late on. In the 89th minute, Lacey lost his composure and kicked the ball away in frustration, earning a second yellow card and being sent off. Reduced to ten men, United were unable to mount a final push.
Early FA Cup Exit Highlights Ongoing Issues for United
At full-time, Manchester United were beaten 1–2 by Brighton at Old Trafford, bringing their FA Cup campaign to an abrupt end. Defensive instability, a lack of clinical finishing in key moments, and the inexperience of younger players all combined to produce a costly outcome.
A “one-round exit” from the FA Cup is a bitter disappointment for United supporters. How the team responds in the upcoming league fixtures and whether they can steady their season before it slips further out of control will now be the pressing challenge facing the Red Devils.
