United crash out of FA Cup vs Brighton as late drama seals their fate

Manchester United bowed out of the FA Cup as they lost 2-1 to Brighton on Sunday evening. It was a frustrating evening for Man United fans, with very few positives to take away from a broadly disappointing performance under interim manager Darren Fletcher. First half Three minutes in, Benjamin Sesko did well to dispossess Brajan Gruda on the edge of the box. The ball fell to Diogo Dalot, who belted the ball over the top. A few minutes later, United earned a free-kick outside the box. Bruno Fernandes thumped a threatening shot goalward, with Jason Steele tipping the ball around the post. In the 12th minute, United fell behind. Danny Welbeck picked out Georginio Rutter with a cross. While Lisandro Martinez cleared his header off the line, Gruda was there to pick up the rebound, scoring for the visitors. Barely minutes later, Brighton almost doubled their lead. Senne Lammens tried to pass the ball to Kobbie Mainoo, giving the ball to Welbeck in the process. Fortunately, Senne Lammens saved Welbeck’s shot, while Rutter floated the rebound over the crossbar. United sought to hit back with a fast counter-attack, although Sesko’s shot floated comfortably into Steele’s gloves. While the hosts maintained the bulk of possession in the minutes that followed, they struggled to make any real inroads against the Brighton defence. In the 26th minute, Martinez delivered a promising corner kick, picking out Ugarte. While Ugarte’s header found Sesko at the far post, the striker was unable to stretch far enough to perform a volley. A minute later, Mainoo picked out Martinez in the centre, whose shot was blocked by Olivier Boscagli. Five minutes before the break, United got another free kick. Fernandes rolled his shot wide of the wall, but wide of the post as well. With one minute of stoppage time awarded, Matheus Cunha dribbled past Ferdi Kadioglu on the edge of the box to cut into the middle. His shot drifted wide of the near post as the half came to a close. Fletcher clearly needed to give his team an inspiring talk at half-time, with the players in desperate need of some motivation following an unfruitful half of football that they actually dominated for the most part. Second half Following a foul on Mainoo, United earned a free kick, which Fernandes thumped into the wall. Cunha managed to trigger a counter-attack a few moments later, sprinting down the left flank and passing the ball into the centre, which the defence cut out. Fernandes sent a free kick toward Mason Mount, who backheeled the ball goalward. Sadly, his shot veered slightly wide. Mainoo received a yellow card for a foul on Welbeck, handing the away side a dangerous free kick in the process. Past the hour mark, Fletcher decided to make a double switch. Shea Lacey and Joshua Zirkzee came on for Mainoo and Mount. In a quick counter, Gruda picked out Welbeck, who belted the ball past Lammens into the top left corner. Delight appeared on the face of the former United player as Brighton suddenly had a comfortable two-goal cushion with less than 25 minutes left on the clock. Straight off the kick-off, Dorgu found Sesko with a through ball. The Slovenian took a decent left-footed shot that the keeper managed to parry, only for the linesman to rule United offside. In the 74th minute, Dorgu did impressively to get on the end of a lob and send it goalward with an overhead kick, only for the keeper to make the save. With 12 minutes to play, Harry Maguire marked his return from injury to replace Martinez, while Casemiro came on for Ugarte. Sesko did well to control a long ball, swiveling and hitting a decent volley that the keeper saved. Fernandes swung in a promising corner, which Brighton headed out for a corner. The United skipper swung in a cross, which Sesko did well to head into the back of the net. Suddenly, United had a slim chance of saving the match. Lacey received a yellow card for clashing with Yasin Ayari. A foul from Cunha handed Brighton a free kick on the right flank. Moments later, Lacey was sent off. Having been adjudged to make another foul, he threw the ball down in frustration. Suddenly, United were staring down the barrel of a gun. It was raining bookings as the ref showed Maguire a yellow card for a reckless tackle. Five minutes of stoppage time were awarded, with United racing against time to remain in the FA Cup. Sadly, it wasn’t to be, as the final whistle blew. Suddenly, United would endure another trophyless season. Hopefully, they can get back to the drawing board and improve their Premier League season. Starting XI: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu, Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes, Cunha, Mount, Sesko Subs: Lacey, Zirkzee, Casemiro, Maguire 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 Mathew Cohen A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.