Manchester Utd 1-2 Brighton: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Seagulls secure fourth-round spot

Manchester United suffered a depressing FA Cup exit as Brighton & Hove Albion gained 2-1 to ebook their fourth-round spot on Sunday.

A swift begin to the sport noticed Man United squander a number of main probabilities earlier than Brighton opened the scoring via Brajan Gruda, and regardless of each groups persevering with to threaten in an entertaining first half, the rating remained 1-0 on the break.

The tempo dropped considerably within the second half as Man United struggled to create any probabilities, and it was Brighton who hit the web subsequent as Danny Welbeck doubled the Seagulls’ lead with a unbelievable end simply after the hour mark.

Man United continued to push for a means again into the sport, and so they finally pulled one again via a Benjamin Sesko header, however their attacking efforts have been hindered when Shea Lacey was despatched off for a second yellow.

The Purple Devils struggled to construct any momentum following the dismissal, and Brighton have been finally capable of defend their 2-1 lead and ebook their place within the subsequent spherical of the FA Cup.

SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT

Man United have been far too simple to assault throughout Ruben Amorim’s tenure in three defender system, and never a lot has modified for the reason that change to the 4 defender formation.

The areas between midfield and defence, centre-backs and full-backs and full-backs and wingers are far too massive, permitting a crew like Brighton, who’re sensible on the ball, to far too simply reduce via their defensive unit.

Each objectives are nice examples, with the Brighton attackers given far an excessive amount of house in harmful positions earlier than discovering the again of the web, finally sealing the win for the Seagulls.

On the different finish of the pitch, whereas Man United had loads of possession exterior the Brighton space, the Purple Devils lacked any actual high quality on the closing second, which means they have been unable to get onto the scoresheet.

Brighton additionally deserve credit score, notably within the second half, sitting again and making it troublesome for Man United to play via them, whereas additionally displaying nice menace on the transition.

Finally, it’s one other lacklustre show and consequence for Man United, who’re actually a crew in disaster, whereas Brighton march confidently into the fourth spherical of the cup.

MANCHESTER UNITED VS. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION HIGHLIGHTS

Brajan Gruda objective vs. Man Utd (twelfth min, Man Utd 0-1 Brighton)

Brighton strike first towards Man Utd ?

Brajan Gruda provides the Seagulls the lead at Previous Trafford ⚽️

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— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) January 11, 2026

Gruda provides Brighton the lead!

Ferdi Kadioglu races in direction of the Man United field and performs a cross to Danny Welbeck, who twists and drives to the byline.

Welbeck’s cross is met by Georginio Rutter’s header, which is blocked off the road, however Gruda is quickest to react and smashes into the web.

Danny Welbeck objective vs. Man Utd (sixty fifth min, Man Utd 0-2 Brighton)

Welcome again to Previous Trafford Danny Welbeck ?

The previous Man Utd man scores a rocket to double Brighton’s lead ?

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— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) January 11, 2026

Welbeck makes it two to Brighton!

The ball is fired into Gruda simply exterior the Brighton penalty space, and the winger squares it into Welbeck in a extra central place.

Welbeck’s first contact brings the ball throughout his physique and into the field, and the striker fires a left-footed effort into the highest left nook.

Benjamin Sesko objective vs. Brighton (eighty fifth min, Man Utd 1-2 Brighton)

Benjamin Sesko scores to provide Man Utd a lifeline ?

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— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) January 11, 2026

Sesko pulls one again for Manchester United!

Bruno Fernandes delivers a nook deep into the Brighton space in direction of the far put up.

The supply is met by Benjamin Sesko, and the striker powers a header into the close to put up, with Jason Steele unable to maintain it out of his web.

89th min: Shea Lacey (Manchester United) crimson card

Lacey is distributed off on his debut!

The younger winger is penalised for a push on Kadioglu, Lacey reacts by throwing the ball, and the referee instantly awards a second yellow.

MAN OF THE MATCH – BRAJAN GRUDA

Gruda was undoubtedly the standout performer in at present’s sport, together with scoring the opener and aiding Welbeck’s second.

The winger additionally created extra probabilities than some other participant on the pitch (5), whereas additionally serving to in defence with 9 duels gained.

MANCHESTER UNITED VS. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION MATCH STATS

Possession: Man Utd 60%-40% Brighton

Photographs: Man Utd 18-13 Brighton

Photographs on the right track: Man Utd 7-4 Brighton

Corners: Man Utd 6-1 Brighton

Fouls: Man Utd 11-15 Brighton

BEST STATS

3 – Kobbie Mainoo created three probabilities from open play within the opening half-hour towards Brighton; probably the most by a @ManUtd participant within the first half hour of a match since Mainoo himself on Boxing Day 2024 v Wolves (3). Reminder. pic.twitter.com/Ir7JS7Aot1

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 11, 2026

WHAT NEXT?

Man United face a troublesome subsequent two fixtures within the Premier League, internet hosting Manchester Metropolis earlier than travelling to tackle Arsenal.

In the meantime, Brighton will host Bournemouth of their subsequent league fixture.