Manchester United F.C. vs Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. kicked off at Old Trafford on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 8:30 PM.
Managerless Manchester United saw their FA Cup hopes end in disappointment as Brighton secured a 2-1 victory, with Danny Welbeck once again scoring against his former club.
Brajan Gruda’s early goal and Welbeck’s strike sealed Brighton’s first FA Cup win over the Red Devils, breaking a six-game losing streak in previous ties between the sides.
Darren Fletcher managed the Red Devils in his final match as interim manager after Ruben Amorim’s recent sacking, as United fell at the first hurdle of both domestic competitions for the first time since 1981-82.
Match Summary – Manchester United F.C. vs Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Stats
Brighton started strongly, with Gruda finishing a quick move after Lisandro Martínez cleared Georginio Rutter’s header off the line.
Early saves from Jason Steele denied Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, giving Brighton the platform to control the match.
Welbeck doubled the lead in the 65th minute with a precise finish into the top-left corner, extending United’s frustration.
A late Benjamin Sesko header in the 85th minute offered hope, but 18-year-old Shea Lacey was sent off after two quick yellow cards, cementing United’s exit.
- Brighton’s first FA Cup win against Manchester United
- United’s first early exit from both domestic competitions since 1981-82
- Welbeck scored his eighth goal against his boyhood club
Last Five Matches Form
| Manchester United | Date | Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnley | Jan 8, 2026 | 2-2 D | Premier League | |
| Leeds United | Jan 4, 2026 | 1-1 D | Premier League | |
| Wolverhampton | Dec 31, 2025 | 1-1 D | Premier League | |
| Newcastle | Dec 27, 2025 | 1-0 W | Premier League | |
| Aston Villa | Dec 21, 2025 | 2-1 L | Premier League |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | Date | Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | Jan 7, 2026 | 1-1 D | Premier League | |
| Burnley | Jan 3, 2026 | 2-0 W | Premier League | |
| West Ham | Dec 30, 2025 | 2-2 D | Premier League | |
| Arsenal | Dec 27, 2025 | 2-1 L | Premier League | |
| Sunderland | Dec 20, 2025 | 0-0 D | Premier League |
- United drew three of their last five games
- Brighton remained unbeaten in three of their last five matches
Head-to-Head – Last Five Meetings
| Date | Competition | Manchester United | Brighton | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25, 2025 | Premier League | Manchester United | Brighton | 4-2 W |
| Jan 19, 2025 | Premier League | Manchester United | Brighton | 1-3 L |
| Aug 24, 2024 | Premier League | Brighton | Manchester United | 2-1 W |
| May 19, 2024 | Premier League | Manchester United | Brighton | 0-2 L |
| Sep 16, 2023 | Premier League | Manchester United | Brighton | 1-3 L |
- Brighton broke a six-match FA Cup losing streak versus United
- Historical league record still favors Manchester United
Match Formations
| Team | Formation | Key Players |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 4-2-3-1 | Lammens, Martínez, Dalot, Fernandes, Sesko |
| Brighton | 4-2-3-1 | Steele, Dorgu, Ugarte, Cunha, Welbeck |
- Both sides used a 4-2-3-1 system
- United relied on Sesko and Fernandes for attacking spark
- Brighton’s early and clinical finishing proved decisive
Attendance at Old Trafford was 73,888 with Simon Hooper officiating, and coverage was provided by ESPN+.
