Shea Lacey sent off in final minute of FA Cup defeat to Brighton

Goal: Manchester United youngster Shea Lacey received the first red card of his career as United lost 2-1 to Brighton in the FA Cup at Old Trafford, being dismissed in the final minute.

Lacey had been introduced in the 62nd minute for Mason Mount and looked like United's most creative influence on the flank, but he was cautioned in the 87th minute for a late tackle. He reacted to a throw-in award in the 89th minute by slamming the ball into the turf, and referee Simon Hooper showed a second yellow followed by a red; he trudged off through the Manchester rain and was applauded from the pitch by a United fan base that still have high hopes for the Merseyside native.

There were boos at full time after the 2-1 defeat. Darren Fletcher has not made the desired impact as interim boss, with United winless in their last four games, out of both domestic cups at the first hurdle, without European football and sitting seventh in the Premier League, leaving hopes of major silverware evaporated. Lacey must serve a ban before returning to the first-team fold, potentially under a third manager as United look to bring an interim boss through to the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Key Topics

Sports, Shea Lacey, Manchester United, Brighton, Fa Cup, Darren Fletcher