Manchester United FA Cup exit confirmed after a painful 2-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford amid growing managerial chaos

Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup after a painful 2-1 third-round defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford, compounding a turbulent period for the managerless club.

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Goals from Brajan Gruda and former United striker Danny Welbeck sealed a deserved win for Brighton. Benjamin Sesko’s late header proved too little, too late for the hosts.

The result extended United’s misery under caretaker head coach Darren Fletcher, who has struggled to steady the club following Ruben Amorim’s shock sacking earlier in the week.

Brighton struck first in the 12th minute. Danny Welbeck drove forward before finding Georginio Rutter, whose header was cleared off the line by Lisandro Martinez. Gruda reacted quickest to fire past goalkeeper Senne Lammens from close range.

United were met with growing hostility from the stands. Chants against co-owners Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family echoed around Old Trafford as frustration spilled over.

Welbeck returned to haunt his former club after the break. The 35-year-old, a Premier League title winner with United in 2013, was given time and space inside the area before smashing an exquisite finish beyond Lammens in the 64th minute.

Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele produced sharp saves to deny Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, preserving the visitors’ advantage.

Sesko briefly reignited hope when he headed home from a Fernandes corner in the 85th minute.

Any chance of a dramatic escape ended moments later when teenage substitute Shea Lacey was sent off for a second booking.

The Manchester United FA Cup exit marked a grim milestone.

The club have now exited both domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle for the first time since the 1981-82 season.

United sit seventh in the Premier League and are without a win in four matches. A daunting run awaits, with Manchester City visiting next weekend before a trip to league leaders Arsenal on January 25.

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Brighton, avenging their 2023 FA Cup semi-final defeat, have now won four of their last five visits to Old Trafford, underlining the shifting balance of power on a sobering afternoon.