Manchester United knocked out of FA Cup
Brighton took the lead in the 12th minute through Brian Gruda, who finished calmly to put the visitors ahead.
KATHMANDU: Manchester United’s FA Cup campaign came to an early end after a 2–1 home defeat against Brighton, inspired by a goal from former United forward Danny Welbeck.
Brighton took the lead in the 12th minute through Brian Gruda, who finished calmly to put the visitors ahead.
Welbeck then doubled Brighton’s advantage in the 64th minute with a powerful strike, marking his eighth goal against his former club.
United found a late lifeline when Benjamin Šeško headed home with five minutes remaining, raising hopes of a comeback.
However, those hopes were dashed in stoppage time when 18-year-old Shea Lacey was sent off, leaving the hosts with ten men.
Brighton comfortably saw out the remaining moments.
The victory was historic for Brighton, as it marked their first-ever FA Cup win over 13-time champions Manchester United in seven attempts.
They now advance to the fourth round.
For United, the defeat compounds a difficult season. The club has now been eliminated early from both domestic cup competitions — the FA Cup and the League Cup — for the first time since the 1981–82 season. Earlier, they were knocked out of the League Cup by lower-league side Grimsby Town.
Currently without a permanent manager, United are being led by interim coach Darren Fletcher. Under his watch, the team drew with Burnley before suffering this home loss. The Red Devils have managed just one win in their last seven matches.
United now face a tough Premier League schedule, with upcoming fixtures against title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal.
The club is reportedly preparing to appoint a new head coach until the end of the season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Michael Carrick emerging as the leading candidates.
