TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves has dropped his immediate verdict on Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup.
Brighton ended Manchester United’s FA Cup campaign on Sunday evening, with the Red Devils suffering another major blow in their heavily disrupted 2025-26 season.
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?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
United trailed Brighton by the half-time whistle at Old Trafford after Brajan Gruda broke the deadlock for the Seagulls in the first half of the FA Cup encounter.
Brighton built on their advantage in the second half and Fabian Hurzeler’s men were 2-0 up thanks to the impact of former Man Utd and England striker Danny Welbeck.
The Red Devils fought back after trailing 2-0 on the night and striker Benjamin Sesko pulled one back for United after connecting with a Bruno Fernandes corner kick.
READ MORE: Ally McCoist noticed something about Man Utd fans after Brighton result as Benjamin Sesko is singled out
Darren Fletcher after the FA Cup third-round match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Owen Hargreaves’ reaction to Man Utd’s FA Cup defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford
Despite Benjamin Sesko’s impact for Manchester United, the Red Devils finished the match with 10 men after teenager Shea Lacey was sent off against Brighton.
More United News
Man Utd were unable to find a crucial equaliser before the full-time whistle and the Red Devils crashed out of the FA Cup in front of United fans at Old Trafford.
Darren Fletcher was in the Old Trafford dugout for Sunday evening’s 2-1 result against Brighton, having been appointed interim United manager last Monday.
Man Utd’s manager for the derby vs City next weekend should be ___________
Who do you want to see in charge next week? Is it time for Fletcher to step aside?
Darren Fletcher claps fans
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Owen Hargreaves admitted there was “still frustration” at how the Red Devils failed to capitalise on their chances against the Seagulls in the third-round FA Cup tie.
“It’s another blow, but let’s be honest, there have been a lot in the past 10 or 12 years,” he told TNT Sports.
“I think everybody felt [that] with Darren taking over there might be a bit of positivity, but they just didn’t have the firepower at the top of the pitch.
“They had lots of possession and shots, but there is still frustration.”
READ MORE: Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes’ displays in Brighton defeat has left Man Utd fans with lot to say, ‘only reason…’
Owen Hargreaves singles out former Man Utd midfielder Darren Fletcher after Brighton’s FA Cup win
Darren Fletcher has temporarily taken charge of the Premier League club in the aftermath of United sacking former Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils are expected to appoint a caretaker manager until the end of the 2025-26 season after Ruben Amorim was axed from Old Trafford last week.
Ineos need to sort this out at Man Utd immediately – there is no direction
How worried are you about the rest of the season?
Ineos graphic
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Hargreaves has admitted that the FA Cup defeat showed that the hope United fans had around a potential ‘manager bounce’ with Fletcher at the helm has extinguished.
“You could feel the air of resignation in everybody,” he added.
“They were hoping with Fletch you could maybe fix that in the short term, but let’s be honest, you’re just hoping.
“Their body of work over the past 10 years and this season suggests this is just where they are at.”
United will be back in action on Saturday afternoon for their Manchester derby clash with Manchester City at Old Trafford, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30pm UK time.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox