Manchester United hit 111-year low after FA Cup loss to Brighton

Goal reported that Manchester United hit an extraordinary 111-year low after they were beaten by a Danny Welbeck-inspired Brighton and Hove Albion in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday evening at Old Trafford.

Brighton went ahead when Brajan Gruda scored after 12 minutes and Gruda then provided the assist for Welbeck’s left-footed strike just after the hour; Welbeck made 142 appearances for United after coming through their youth system. United replied through Benjamin Sesko with five minutes of normal time left, but academy graduate Shea Lacey was sent off late on after receiving a second yellow for bouncing the ball in frustration, leaving the hosts with ten men.

With exits from both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, United can now play only 40 matches this season, their fewest since the 1914-15 campaign (39). Interim boss Darren Fletcher, whose stint is widely expected to end, said players are "fragile" and "have got to respond"; United will next host Manchester City in the derby on Saturday, 17 January and are currently seventh, three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.

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Sports, Manchester United, Brighton, Danny Welbeck, Shea Lacey, Fa Cup