Manchester United's troubled season hit a new low on Sunday as the managerless club suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion, crashing out of the FA Cup in the third round at Old Trafford.
Old Trafford Humiliation as Brighton Advances
The Red Devils, still reeling from the shock sacking of manager Ruben Amorim just days earlier, were outplayed on their home ground. Brajan Gruda gave Brighton the lead in the 12th minute, capitalising on chaotic United defending. The situation worsened after the break when former United striker Danny Welbeck, now 35, lashed in a superb second goal in the 64th minute to double the visitors' advantage.
United's only reply came too late, as Benjamin Sesko headed in a consolation goal from a Bruno Fernandes corner in the 85th minute. The match ended in further disgrace for the hosts when teenage substitute Shea Lacey was sent off in the dying moments for throwing the ball away in frustration, having already been booked.
A Club in Complete Disarray
The final whistle was met with a barrage of jeers from furious Manchester United supporters, with chants directed against co-owners Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family echoing around the stadium. The loss marks the latest miserable result in a deeply troubled campaign.
Caretaker boss Darren Fletcher, who took charge after Amorim's dismissal, has failed to stop the rot. The club is now actively seeking an interim manager to see out the season, with former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-midfielder Michael Carrick both linked to the temporary role. However, the current chaos at Old Trafford makes it an unappealing prospect for any top-tier manager.
The club's legendary former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, watched the debacle from the director's box, a stark reminder of how far the current generation has fallen from the club's golden era under the Scot. United's last Premier League title came in 2013, with Welbeck part of that squad.
Dire Statistics and a Grim Future
The numbers paint a bleak picture. Manchester United are now without a win in four games and have managed just one victory in their last seven matches across all competitions. They currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, a deeply disappointing position.
This early exit from the FA Cup, following a humiliating League Cup loss to fourth-tier Grimsby Town in August, means United have been eliminated from both domestic cups at the first hurdle for the first time since the 1981-82 season.
The immediate future offers little respite. United host arch-rivals Manchester City next weekend before travelling to face Premier League leaders Arsenal on January 25. Their wretched form suggests a quick turnaround is unlikely.
For Brighton, this victory was sweet revenge for their 2023 FA Cup semi-final loss to United. They have now won on four of their last five visits to Old Trafford, underlining United's dramatic decline as a fortress.
