TELFORD – Manchester United’s tough spell continued as Brighton & Hove Albion earned a controlled 2-1 win in the Emirates FA Cup third round. Brajan Gruda struck early, then former United forward Danny Welbeck added a second with a familiar finish. United managed a late response through Benjamin Sesko, but it wasn’t enough, and a late sending off for substitute Shea Lacey ended any final push.
It was a painful afternoon for a United side still trying to steady itself after a midweek Premier League draw at Burnley and the dismissal of manager Ruben Amorim last week. Interim boss Darren Fletcher couldn’t spark a revival. Brighton looked calmer, sharper, and more sure of what they wanted.
A Fast Start Leaves United Chasing
Brighton made six changes after their 1-1 draw at Manchester City, but their rhythm didn’t drop. They went ahead in the 12th minute. Georginio Rutter climbed well to meet a cross from Welbeck and headed towards the goal. The header was cleared off the line, yet Gruda reacted first and smashed in from close range.
Old Trafford went quiet, and United never really settled in the first half. There was possession, but little bite. Brighton stayed compact, closed passing lanes, and made it hard for United to build attacks with pace.
Welbeck Adds a Second Against His Old Club
The same story carried into the second half until the 64th minute. Welbeck, back at Old Trafford more than a decade after leaving in 2014, produced the key moment. He took the ball near the edge of the area and drove a powerful shot into the top corner. The goalkeeper had no chance.
Welbeck kept his celebration low-key, but the goal hit United hard. Brighton’s changes paid off, and Fabian Hurzeler’s side looked the more clinical team in both boxes.
A Late Goal, Then a Red Card, Ends the Fightback
United finally found a spark late on. In the 85th minute, a well-placed cross picked out Sesko, and the striker powered a header past the keeper to cut it to 2-1.
For a few minutes, the pressure built. Then it fell away. In the 89th minute, substitute Shea Lacey was shown a second yellow card for dissent after an earlier foul, leaving United with 10 men. A late Harry Maguire header went straight at the goalkeeper, and Brighton saw the game out.
The win was also Brighton’s first FA Cup victory over Manchester United after seven previous attempts.
Player Ratings Snapshot: Manchester United
United showed effort, but the final pass and finishing weren’t there often enough.
| Player | Position | Key stats and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Senne Lammens | Goalkeeper | Made saves, but couldn’t keep out two strong finishes |
| Diogo Dalot | Right-back | Had a tough day defensively out wide |
| Lisandro Martinez | Centre-back | Competing throughout, but caught out at moments |
| Ayden Heaven | Centre-back | Showed promise in a difficult match |
| Luke Shaw | Left-back | Worked hard, offered pressure, and limited the end product |
| Manuel Ugarte | Midfield | Covered ground and battled in midfield |
| Kobbie Mainoo | Midfield | Booked, tried to create, often crowded out |
| Matheus Cunha | Forward | Made runs, lacked a clear final touch |
| Benjamin Sesko | Forward | Took his goal well, stayed a threat late on |
Player Ratings Snapshot: Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton’s rotated side looked settled, with several players standing out.
| Player | Position | Key stats and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Steele | Goalkeeper | Strong presence, important late stops |
| Jan Paul van Hecke | Centre-back | Steady performance in a changed back line |
| Lewis Dunk | Centre-back | Led the defence and managed key moments well |
| Brajan Gruda | Midfielder/Forward | Quick reactions for the opener, lively all game |
| Danny Welbeck | Forward | Set up the first, scored the second, caused problems throughout |
| Georginio Rutter | Forward | Key role in the opener, kept United’s defence busy |
Manchester United now face the rest of the season without domestic cup football. Their focus turns fully to the Premier League, where they sit seventh and trail leaders Arsenal by a large gap. Next up is a Manchester derby against City on 17 January.
For Brighton, the result adds to a strong recent run against United, with seven wins in the last nine meetings. The win also sets up a fourth-round tie with confidence high, as Hurzeler’s side keeps finding ways to beat bigger clubs.
