Manchester United’s interim manager Darren Fletcher says he is “bitterly disappointed” with the loss against Brighton & Hove Albion that saw his side exit the FA Cup in the third round.
Goals from former United striker Danny Welbeck, who was at Old Trafford from 2008 to 2014, and an early opener by Brajan Gruda condemned a wasteful home side who pulled one back through Benjamin Sesko in the 85th minute, but couldn’t produce surmountable pressure to avoid leaving the competition.
The defeat marked the first time since the 1981-82 campaign that United had fallen at the maiden hurdle in both domestic cup competitions in a single season. To intensify the sting, it was United’s second game without victory under former player and interim coach Fletcher.
“Well, bitterly disappointed because we're out of the FA Cup,” Fletcher said. “I think the players you see the reaction at the end and you know they deserve what they saw so we're disappointed with the result and probably disappointed with some moments in the game especially responding to Brighton's first goal.
Welbeck scored a stunning 20-yard strike to increase his side's advantage (Photo by PETER POWELL/Getty Images)
“I think we took too long to respond from that. So players are down, disappointed, hurt but they're going to have to pick themselves up and recover because we’ve got a big game next week.”
This period in particular is devoid of any fruition and is perhaps some of the darker days that those associated with the club have experienced, despite the club sitting sixth in the Premier League table.
Ruben Amorim’s exit undoubtedly extracted relief in some quarters last Tuesday but the lasting feeling of disappointment remains in these parts, with the United hierarchy – chief executive Omar Berrarda and director Jason Wilcox – taking plenty of the blame in recent times. Fletcher, however, insisted that he hadn’t spoken to those at the club, despite the club being in a state of disarray.
“Well, first of all, I've not had conversations, I just finished the game doing media, speaking to the players, speaking to the staff,” he said. “Look, anytime you come in at Manchester United, it's a massive job. The thing for me is there's still a lot to play for this season.
Berrarda, right, and Wilcox were in attendance to see United's loss to Brighton (Photo by OLI SCARFF/Getty Images)
“And if I look at the players and we get players back from injury and AFCON and we get a fuller squad, I think these players have got the ability to qualify in a Champions League place and that should be their objective.
“That should be their mindset. But they're going to have to come together and be part of that as well. It's not about a manager. It's not about directors. It's about everyone and the players have to group together, take responsibility, find a way of uh you know improving quickly and taking on the challenge for the rest of the season. Don't waste this season.”
United’s next game is against Manchester City at home, where Fletcher may or may not be in charge as reports continue to develop around the possible return of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim before a permanent manager is announced in the summer. Michael Carrick is also in the running.