Article by Dragoș Petrescu – Published Sunday, January 11, 2026 20:50 / Updated Sunday, January 11, 2026 21:05
Manchester United lost on home ground to those of Brightonscore 1-2, in a duel in the #3rd round of the FA Cup, and thus, the “red devils” were eliminated from the competition.
The full schedule from round #3 in the FA Cup
After exiting the League Cup prematurely, being eliminated on penalties by Grimsby Town, a team from the fourth tier of English football, Manchester United were also eliminated extremely early from the FA Cup.
Fletcher's “devils”, defeated by Hurzeler's “seagulls”.
German Brajan Gruda was the 'MVP' of the Old Trafford clash, scoring and providing an assist in Brighton's win.
The 21-year-old footballer opened the scoreboard in the 12th minute of the meeting, after which he provided the “assist” for the goal that made the score 2-0 in favor of the “seagulls”. Danny Welbeck, ex-player at Manchester United, was the one who doubled the advantage (64').
Benjamin Sesko reduced the difference in the 85th minute, after which, pushed from behind by the fans present at the stadium, Fletcher's students tried to score the equalizing goal, which would have taken the match to extra time, but the defense of the visitors held out, and thus, United missed the second goal of the current season.
As a result of this elimination, the “devils” are still engaged this season only in the championship, where they currently occupy the 7th place, they are not present in any European cup.
For the two teams, next week's Premier League duels follow. Manchester United will take on arch-rivals City at Old Trafford, while Brighton host Bournemouth.
Premier League standings:
Manchester United – Brighton » Starting teams:
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Lammens – Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu – Mainoo, Ugarte – Cunha, B. Fernandes, Mount – Sesko
reserves: Bayindir – Casemiro, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Heaven, Lacey, Maguire, Malacia, Zirkzee
Coach: Darren Fletcher
BRIGTON & HOVE ALBION (4-2-3-1): Steele – Veltman, Coppola, Boscagli, Kadioglu – Hinshelwood, Gross – Gruda, Rutter, Gomez – Welbeck
reserves: Verbruggen – Ayari, Dunk, Howell, Kostoulas, Mitoma, Tasker, Van Hecke, Watson
Coach: Fabian Hurzeler
Stadium: Old Trafford (Manchester)
Referee: Simon Hooper
