Welbeck Haunts Manchester United as Brighton Claim Historic FA Cup Win
United crash out under interim charge
Managerless Manchester United’s hopes of salvaging silverware from a chaotic season were ended by former favourite Danny Welbeck, as Brighton secured their first-ever FA Cup victory over the Red Devils with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
A turbulent week that began with Ruben Amorim’s dismissal concluded in disappointment, with Darren Fletcher overseeing a third-round exit in what is expected to be his final match as interim boss.
Brighton end long FA Cup hoodoo
Brighton had been eliminated by United in all six previous FA Cup meetings, but that run came to an end thanks to an early Brajan Gruda goal and Welbeck’s eighth strike against his boyhood club.
Although Benjamin Sesko gave United late hope, Albion held firm, despite teenage substitute Shea Lacey being sent off in the closing stages.
Early saves set the tone
Fletcher was warmly received before kickoff and United began brightly, but two crucial early saves from Jason Steele shifted the momentum.
The Brighton goalkeeper denied Diogo Dalot after just two minutes and later pushed away a long-range Bruno Fernandes effort, moments before Albion struck.
Gruda strikes first
Welbeck clipped a cross into the box that Georginio Rutter headed goalwards, only for Lisandro Martínez to clear off the line. Gruda reacted quickest, lashing home the rebound to put Brighton ahead inside 12 minutes.
United looked shaky at the back, with Senne Lammens nearly punished for a loose pass before recovering to deny Welbeck, while Rutter fluffed the follow-up from an offside position.
Flat response from the hosts
Despite enjoying spells of possession, United struggled to create clear chances. Fernandes’ inventive free-kick and a Matheus Cunha effort were the only moments of promise as the Old Trafford atmosphere grew increasingly subdued before halftime.
Fletcher attempted to lift the crowd after the break, but the second half began in similarly lifeless fashion.
Welbeck delivers decisive blow
Changes were made, with Lacey and Joshua Zirkzee introduced, but Brighton struck again almost immediately.
Gruda slid a simple pass into Welbeck, who was afforded too much space before firing a superb finish into the top left corner in the 65th minute.
Late hope but familiar frustration
United fans urged their side forward and Sesko went close before finally pulling a goal back in the 85th minute, heading in from a Fernandes corner.
The hosts pushed for an equaliser but could not find one, and frustration boiled over as 18-year-old Lacey was shown two quick yellow cards, the second for dissent.
Another grim milestone for United
The defeat marks the first time since 1981–82 that United have exited both domestic cups at the first hurdle and confirms they will play just 40 competitive matches this season — their fewest in 111 years.
With the Premier League now their sole focus and a 17-point gap to leaders Arsenal, United’s realistic hopes of a trophy were extinguished just 11 days into 2026.
