Confirmed United XI vs Brighton: Mainoo starts, Shaw missing, Lacey on the bench

Interim Manchester United head coach Darren Fletcher has made three changes to his starting XI for today’s FA Cup third round clash with Brighton at Old Trafford. Matthijs de Ligt is the only known injured player in the squad, but Noussair Mazraoui is still competing at the Africa Cup of Nations for Morocco. Luke Shaw is not in the squad, but whether he is also injured or just rested is as yet unclear. Amad and Bryan Mbeumo have both been knocked out of AFCON at the quarter-final stage, but Fletcher said at the pre-match press conference that the turnaround time was too short to allow them to compete today. Both of Fletcher’s twin sons, Jack and Tyler, are in the squad for what could be their father’s last game in charge. Defence Senne Lammens is in goal. The back four are Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Patrick Dorgu. Yoro comes in for Ayden Heaven, in an interesting shift from Ruben Amorim’s priorities. The Englishman had been winning the battle to start alongside Lisandro Martinez, but Fletcher appears to be giving Yoro a chance to re-establish himself. Harry Maguire may get minutes off the bench on his comback from injury. Midfield and Attack Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes are the midfield trio. Casemiro has been rested with Mainoo brought in for a much-needed start after struggling to get minutes under the Portuguese former boss. In attack, Ben Sesko leads the line following his superb brace against Burnley on Wednesday. He will be flanked by Mateus Cunha and Mason Mount. Substitutes Altay Bayindir is the substitute ‘keeper. He is joined by Heaven, Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, the Fletcher twins, Josh Zirkzee and Shea Lacey. Presenting your United XI for today’s #FACup third-round tie 📋🏆 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 11, 2026 Kick-off at Old Trafford is at 4.30pm. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Red Billy Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and two magazines and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy first saw United live in 1971, watching George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, before becoming a League Match ticket book holder from 1975/76 and a writer since 1995. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.