Manchester United’s quest to reclaim the FA Cup is over after 90 minutes at Old Trafford to Brighton and Hove Albion, as former Red Devils forward Danny Welbeck scored the decisive goal in his former digs.
Brajan Gruda scored and set up Welbeck for Brighton’s other goal as the Seagulls built a 2-0 lead against United’s back four.
MORE — FA Cup third round schedule, results | All-time winners
Bemjamin Sesko’s late header gave interim boss Darren Fletcher a life line but they couldn’t find an answer and substitute forward Shea Lacey was sent off in the 90th minute for picking up his second yellow card.
No magic wand for Manchester United
For all the mystique that comes with the name Manchester United, it turns out that just firing a coach and applying fan-led remedies aren’t going to fix things. There was the called-for back four. There was Kobbie Mainoo. And there was a Brighton without its starting center back duo (for 77 minutes) as well as Bart Verbruggen, Yasin Ayari (for 77 minutes) and Kaoru Mitoma for 78 minutes. At Old Trafford. And now the post-Amorim era reads: two matches, one draw against a bottom-three side, one third-round home FA Cup exit. Patrick Dorgu had a poor day at left back, Mason Mount looked out of sorts and helped contribute to the first goal, and the biggest impact from a substitute was a teenager taking two yellow cards in 27 minutes. Better luck next time. Better luck next year. Woof.
Manchester United vs Brighton final score: 1-2
Brajan Gruda 12', Danny Welbeck 64', Benjamin Sesko 84'
Red card: Shea Lacey 90'
Manchester United vs Brighton live updates
Shea Lacey sent off
The sub takes his second yellow card in the 90th minute for slamming the ball down after Brighton were awarded a throw-in.
Benjamin Sesko goal — Man United 1-2 Brighton
The forward heads home from the back post off a corner and United have increased hope.
More subs
Fabian Hurzeler firms up his back line with Jan Paul van Hecke for Diego Gomez in the 77th minute. Also into the game are Yasin Ayari and Kaoru Mitoma for Veltman and Welbeck.
Man United bring in Casemiro for Manuel Ugarte.
Danny Welbeck goal — Man United 0-2 Brighton
Gruda turns provider and the visitors lead by two!
EMPHATIC FINISH FROM DANNY WELBECK AGAINST HIS FORMER CLUB ☄️ pic.twitter.com/YVmTV5STBw
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 11, 2026
Man United subs
Shea Lacey and joshua Zirkzee replace Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo in the 62nd minute.
Halftime — Manchester United 0-1 Brighton
We don’t know if Ruben Amorim is the schadenfreude type but if he is, well, this is a moment for him.
Two games into this media-demanded back four and United don’t look right. The ownership’s issues with Amorim were probably bigger picture but it’s turning out that missing your best center back is a bigger issue than the formation, and Matthijs de Ligt’s absence is screaming even louder off the pitch with Dorgu and Dalot as fullbacks wanting to get forward.
This is not Brighton’s best team — Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Kaoru Mitoma, and Yasin Ayari are on the bench. United have been a bit better than their visitors, but that’s not enough considering this is at Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha springs game to life before halftime
The Brazilian skips past Joel Veltman and it looks he’s picked out the near post.
Well, he’s picked it out... but he dragged it wide.
Brajan Gruda goal — Manchester United 0-1 Brighton
A bright start by the hosts is instantly erased by the Seagulls.
Danny Welbeck wriggles free of Mason Mount and drives into the left side of the box, delivering a terrific cross that serves as a movie for paying customers like Patrick Dorgu.
Lisandro Martinez clears Georginio Rutter’s header off the line but Brajan Gruda buries the rebound.
Brighton take the early lead on Manchester United 😮 pic.twitter.com/6w3P2nb59P
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 11, 2026
Manchester United lineup
Lammens, Yoro, Martinez, Dalot, Dorgu, Ugarte, Mainoo, Mount, Cunha, Fernandes, Sesko
Brighton lineup
Steele, Veltman, Boscagli, Coppola, Kadioglu, Gross, Gomez, Hinshelwood, Rutter, Gruda, Welbeck
Manchester United vs Brighton preview
The Red Devils won the 2023-24 FA Cup over rivals Manchester City to move within one of all-time FA Cup title winners Arsenal’s 14, and interim boss Darren Fletcher will hope he can play a positive part in another one after triumphing as a player with the 2003-04 Man United team.
Brighton, meanwhile, have only once reached the FA Cup Final, taking Man United to a replay before losing its chance for the trophy in the 1982-83 tournament.
Fabian Hurzeler would love a cup run to spruce up what’s been a lull in an otherwise decent season. The Seagulls are 1W-4D-3L in their last eight Premier League outings and the lone win came at home to bottom-three Burnley, although their midweek draw at Man City delivered good vibes.
Manchester United team news, focus
OUT: Matthijs de Ligt (unspecified - MORE), Noussair Mazraoui (international duty - AFCON), Bryan Mbeumo (international duty - AFCON), Amad Diallo (international duty - AFCON)
Brighton team news, focus
OUT: Mats Wieffer (toe), Carlos Baleba (international duty - AFCON), Adam Webster (knee), Solly March (knee), Stefanos Tzimas (unspecified) | QUESTIONABLE: Yankuba Minteh (dead leg)
Manchester United vs Brighton prediction
Man United are healthier now and Bryan Mbeumo is soon to return from injury to add to their strongest possible squad. There are plenty of reasons to believe that the Red Devils should be able to triumph on Sunday, especially with Bruno Fernandes back in the team, and a first win since the dismissal of Ruben Amorim would go a long way to lifting spirits around Old Trafford. Let’s suggest that it’ll come, but with serious work first. Manchester United 2-1 (aet) Brighton & Hove Albion.
How to watch Manchester United vs Brighton in the FA Cup live, stream link
Kickoff: 11:30am ET Sunday
Stadium: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV channel/Streaming: ESPN+
