Former United striker Danny Welbeck scores as Brighton finally secure first FA Cup victory over Manchester United, condemning managerless Red Devils to earliest cup exit in 12 years.
Manchester United’s turbulent season hit a new nadir as Brighton & Hove Albion secured a historic 2-1 FA Cup third-round victory at Old Trafford, ending a six-match hoodoo against the Red Devils in the competition and condemning interim manager Darren Fletcher’s side to their earliest cup exit since 2013-14.
Brajan Gruda’s 12th-minute opener and a trademark finish from former United striker Danny Welbeck in the 64th minute proved decisive, despite Benjamin Sesko’s late header giving the hosts a glimmer of hope. The victory was marred only by Shea Lacey’s 89th-minute dismissal for dissent after collecting two yellow cards within minutes, the teenage substitute’s red card encapsulating United’s frustration on a deeply disappointing afternoon.
Brighton, who had lost all six previous FA Cup encounters with United—including a dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout defeat in the 2022-23 semi-final—took the lead when Gruda capitalised on hesitant defending to fire a close-range rebound past Senne Lammens. The German winger showed composure to convert after his initial shot was blocked, exposing the defensive fragilities that have plagued Fletcher’s brief tenure since Ruben Amorim’s sacking last week.
United enjoyed territorial dominance, registering 59.5% possession and 19 shot attempts, yet lacked the cutting edge to break down a disciplined Brighton backline marshalled by captain Welbeck. The 36-year-old former United academy graduate, making his 142nd appearance against various opponents for his eighth goal against his boyhood club, doubled the visitors’ advantage with a clinical left-footed finish from 15 yards that arrowed into the top corner—a goal that effectively sealed the tie.
Fletcher introduced fresh legs through Lacey and Joshua Zirkzee after the hour mark, seeking to inject impetus into a ponderous United attack. Mason Mount’s free-kick flashed narrowly over immediately after the restart, while Matheus Cunha—seeking to score in a fifth consecutive FA Cup appearance—was repeatedly frustrated by Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, who produced seven saves including crucial stops from Sesko.
The Slovenian striker finally breached Brighton’s resistance five minutes from time, directing a powerful header into the bottom corner from Lacey’s excellent cross to make it 2-1. United pressed desperately for an equaliser, with Harry Maguire’s late header straight at Steele representing their best chance of forcing extra time, but Brighton held firm to complete a memorable victory.
The result leaves United focusing solely on Premier League survival for the remainder of the season, with the club languishing in mid-table and facing the Manchester derby against City on Saturday. Brighton, meanwhile, advance to Monday’s fourth-round draw having finally overcome their Old Trafford curse, building on Wednesday’s impressive draw at Manchester City to establish momentum under Fabian Hurzeler.
For United, the defeat represents another damning indictment of a season spiralling out of control. Fletcher, overseeing what is likely his final match as interim boss with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick frontrunners for the permanent role, could only watch as his makeshift defence crumbled and his attack misfired. The Red Devils’ first home game of 2026 ended in familiar disappointment—a microcosm of a campaign that has lurched from crisis to crisis with no end in sight.
Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Old Trafford | Sunday, 11 January 2026 | 16:30 GMT
Referee: Simon Hooper | Attendance: 74,000
