Brighton stun Manchester United at Old Trafford

January 13, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

A night that deepened existing doubts

Manchester United’s hopes of using the FA Cup as a reset were cut short as Brighton delivered another sobering reminder of how fragile the side remains under pressure.

The third round tie was meant to offer relief from a turbulent league campaign, but instead amplified questions about discipline, leadership, and long term direction in front of a restless home crowd.

Brighton strike early and stay calm

Brighton took control with a sharp start, showing confidence and clarity that contrasted with United’s hesitancy.

Brajan Gruda opened the scoring with a well taken finish before Danny Welbeck doubled the lead against his former club. According to OneFootball, Welbeck has now scored more goals at Old Trafford since leaving United in 2014 than any current member of the squad, a statistic that drew pointed reactions online.

United responded after the break when Benjamin Šeško headed in, briefly lifting the atmosphere and shifting momentum inside the stadium.

Discipline undermines the comeback

The turning point arrived almost immediately after United pulled a goal back.

Shea Lacey, introduced in the 62nd minute, was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for dissent at a throw in. It was the first red card of his senior career and halted United’s momentum at a critical moment.

According to Reuters match reporting referenced by multiple outlets, interim manager Darren Fletcher confronted the referee on the touchline and later voiced his anger at the decision. Lacey later issued an apology on X, acknowledging that frustration had got the better of him.

Anger spreads beyond the pitch

The defeat confirmed that United will finish the season without a domestic cup to contest, intensifying frustration among supporters.

Reaction online focused on recurring themes, including recruitment missteps, tactical confusion, and a lack of composure in decisive moments. According to analysis shared by OneFootball and echoed by fan accounts on X, Brighton’s structure and discipline once again highlighted the contrast between the two clubs’ trajectories.

A setback that defines the season

With no silverware left to pursue, United now face a stretch of the season focused solely on damage control rather than ambition.

Brighton move forward with confidence, having once again shown their ability to compete and win away from home against elite opposition. For United, the result served less as a shock and more as confirmation that deep rooted issues remain unresolved.

Sources: Reuters, OneFootball, X

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