Manchester United will finish this season with just 40 games as they got knocked out by Brighton from the FA Cup with a 1-2 loss in the third round.
The game started where Burnley finished, as Man Utd started well, wasted their chances, only to get sucker-punched by Brighton to leave them trailing.
The pattern continued as United had plenty of possession and threat, only to keep getting the final touch wrong as they went into half-time trailing by a goal.
Man Utd have lost 2-1 at home to Brighton, what is your INSTANT REACTION?
United are ELIMINATED from the FA Cup
FA Cup result graphic
Getty Images
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All the good football counted for nothing as Brighton got another in the second half via who else but Danny Welbeck, as Benjamin Sesko’s late goal off a corner was mere consolation.
Shea Lacey of Manchester United replaces teammate Mason Mount as he is substituted off during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on January 11, 2026
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Man Utd player ratings vs Brighton
Senne Lammens – 5
Asked to play out from the back and struggled with Brighton’s press, gifting them the ball in a horror moment.
Diogo Dalot – 3
Keeps making the right runs and taking the wrong decisions. Missed multiple clear-cut chances and was a black hole defensively.
Leny Yoro – 4.5
Could have pressed more aggressively for both goals. Fine with the ball.
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Lisandro Martinez – 5
Smart runs saw him at the end of good chances, but he needed to marshal the defence better.
Patrick Dorgu – 6
Got forward plenty of times and whipped in crosses that failed to find the mark. Kept going regardless.
Manuel Ugarte – 4.5
Loose touches and slack passing got exposed in the face of Brighton’s intense press.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6.5
Carried the ball from deeper areas and took on his man with purpose. The final touch lacked, much like the rest of the team.
Who was Man Utd’s man of the match in the 2-1 loss to Brighton?
We are trying to keep positive, who impressed you most?
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Matheus Cunha – 5
Hasn’t found a position for himself in a back-four system as he keeps leaving his flank exposed to come inside. Created a great chance for Dalot that should have been a goal.
Mason Mount – 3
The system change will hurt him the most and it showed. Lacks the pace to be a winger, and creativity to be a sole No. 10. Remained on the periphery because he just doesn’t have a position in the first XI anymore.
Bruno Fernandes – 6.5
Everything threatening came through him. Assisted Sesko’s goal off the corner.
Benjamin Sesko – 6
Was heavily involved again and scored off a corner but needed to polish his final touch because there were more goals to be had.
Substitutes
Shea Lacey – 6
Got Old Trafford on their feet as players repeatedly gave him the ball to run at the defence. Got himself sent off late on with a second yellow for an act of defiance.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Not much impact as Fletcher threw the kitchen sink at the game in search of a comeback.
Harry Maguire – 6
Came on late but no heroics this time.
Casemiro – 6
Same as Maguire.
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