Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Cup on Sunday and this is particularly bad news for three players
Manuel Ugarte looks on during Manchester United's FA Cup third round defeat to Brighton
Manuel Ugarte looks on during Manchester United's FA Cup third round defeat to Brighton(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Manchester United's defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup was particularly disappointing for the club. With the Premier League realistically out of reach, the famous competition was the last chance for silverware this season for the Reds.
With that now out of the window too, United must focus solely on the Premier League to offer themselves a chance of success. As such, the incoming interim head coach will be looking to play his strongest possible team available to him in the remaining fixtures of this season to put United in the mix for Champions League qualification.
There will now be little room for rotation and three players are going to be the biggest losers in that scenario. MEN Sport has therefore taken a look at the trio who are set to suffer the most by the FA Cup exit.
Shea Lacey
The United winger was sent off against Brighton on Sunday. The 18-year-old will learn from this experience. Lacey may well be given further opportunities this season but they are likely to be few and far between without the FA Cup. Bryan Mbeumo is back from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) this week, as is Amad, so the teenager is dropping down the pecking order by the minute.
The FA Cup would have allowed for more experimentation and rotation but dropping out of the competition will see Lacey miss out on chances to start.
Jack Fletcher
On paper, the move away from 3-4-2-1 should be good news for Fletcher. United will open up another central midfield position with Fernandes playing further forward again in attacking midfield.
But in practice, the teenager is going to find himself lower down the order with fewer matches to come. When everyone is fit, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Fernandes will be the three players playing centrally.
Fletcher is in a prime position to replace Mainoo when necessary but considering the lack of minutes Mainoo has had in the first half of the season, and the fewer opportunities to rotate, the current boss' son will be the one missing out more often than not.
Similarly to Fletcher, Ugarte is in a position where he is the second choice to Casemiro. Out of the trio, he has the most chance of taking that position back.
Against Burnley, it was Ugarte who stood out ahead of Casemiro and he got the nod to play in the FA Cup against Brighton. But he was flat against the Seagulls and the Brazilian will win his place back for the derby.
Everyone knows Casemiro struggles with two games in quick succession but there is only one more midweek matchday remaining for United now. Without the extra FA Cup fixtures, the Uruguayan will have to wait patiently for another shot.