Manchester United are enduring yet another poor season having been dumped out of the Carabao Cup and now the FA Cup at the first hurdle
Manchester United players were dejected after the final whistle following the defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup.(Image: )
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Manchester United's disgruntled players are expected to call off their end-of-season awards night if the team fails to secure a spot in the Champions League. The club is currently enduring one of its worst seasons in history.
The team's shocking exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Brighton on Sunday means that they have no chance of winning any silverware this season, marking the earliest stage of a campaign since World War II that this has occurred.
United were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby. This marks the first time since 1982 that the English giants have been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions in their first tie.
Speaking after the defeat to Brighton on Sunday afternoon, caretaker boss Darren Fletcher said: "I thought we created enough chances but then to go 2-0 down was disappointing. But the lads responded well and when we got back to 2-1 I thought, 'Here we go.'
"The crowd was up, the energy was up, but ultimately we couldn't get over the line and get an equalising goal. But I think you can see that the players are fragile and they need to build themselves up. Because it's up to them now, they've got to respond."
United are in talks to announce a caretaker manager until the end of the season, and Fletcher revealed he had no conversations to continue in the role, calling on the players to dig deep.
He added: "You concede a goal and the confidence hits them as well. Confidence is one of the most powerful things in football.
"When you don't have confidence, you've got to dig deep and you have to battle, grind, fight, work, win games and then the confidence comes back.
"I challenged them to regroup and it's over to them. Someone's going to come in and lead them and it's up to them to make sure they have a lot to play for this season. This team's still good enough to achieve success this season but they've got to dig deep and find it within themselves."
Darren Fletcher after the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Darren Fletcher has taken charge of the last two Manchester United games on a caretaker basis. (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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United are currently not participating in European competition and trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by 17 points, it seems that the only possible redemption for this dismal season would be securing a top-four finish.
However, if United fail to return to the Champions League, the squad will consider cancelling the end-of-season dinner. Even if they do qualify, it is still expected that the event may not take place.
This would mark the third consecutive season that this has occurred. Despite winning the FA Cup, United's players chose not to hold the 2024 end-of-year players' awards night when the team finished eighth in the table.
The same decision was made last season when United ended up a disappointing 15th in the league.
The awards night typically includes prizes for players from the men's, women's, and youth teams. However, if the men's team choose not to host the event, it will not go ahead.