Brighton knock Manchester United out of FA Cup as Gruda and Welbeck score

Brighton eliminated Manchester United from the FA Cup at Old Trafford after goals from Brajan Gruda and Danny Welbeck, leaving the 13-time winners out of the competition in January. Gruda opened the scoring after Georginio Rutter had a header cleared off the line, and Welbeck added a second in the second half.

Benjamin Sesko pulled one back with an 85th-minute header but United could not find an equaliser, and 18-year-old substitute Shea Lacey was shown a second yellow for dissent in added time before walking off in tears. At the final whistle manager Darren Fletcher was booked for complaining to referee Simon Hooper.

The defeat means United have been dumped from both the FA Cup and the League Cup at the first opportunity for the first time since 1981–82, and by the end of May the club’s season will total 40 games, their lowest complete campaign since 1914–15. The result (probably) ended Darren Fletcher’s record as interim manager as winless; Fletcher, who took over after Ruben Amorim’s sacking last week, said: “This is what I have been asked to do so I have not had any discussions beyond that.” The club are expected to announce a second interim manager within 72 hours, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Michael Carrick reported to have been interviewed.

Key Topics

Sports, Manchester United, Brighton, Fa Cup, Darren Fletcher, Old Trafford