Brighton knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, thanks to a superb 64th-minute strike from Danny Welbeck. Benjamin Sesko scored late to reduce the deficit, but Shea Lacey’s dismissal ended United’s push. The defeat confirmed another season without domestic cup success for United.
Welbeck, who left United for Arsenal in 2014, again punished the club where the career began. The forward now has eight goals against United in all competitions, matching the tally against West Ham. This latest effort helped Brighton progress and added to the pressure on United interim boss Darren Fletcher.
Brighton took control early, with Brajan Gruda putting the visitors ahead in the 12th minute after Georginio Rutter’s header
was cleared off the line. Welbeck then struck fiercely into the roof of Senne Lammens’ net after the hour. Sesko headed in from a Bruno Fernandes corner on 85 minutes, before Lacey’s red card halted United’s late charge.
The game began at high speed, with Jason Steele forced into action inside two minutes. Steele rushed from goal to block Diogo Dalot’s effort, then watched Dalot fire over the bar. Soon after, Fernandes drew another smart save following a quick free-kick combination with Kobbie Mainoo, but Brighton’s first clear chance produced the opener.
Gruda’s opener came when Rutter’s initial header was cleared off the line, only for the rebound to fall kindly. Two minutes later, Lammens almost handed Brighton another goal, misplacing a pass that Welbeck intercepted, though the goalkeeper recovered to block. United created pressure before half-time through Lisandro Martinez, Fernandes and Matheus Cunha, yet Brighton stayed in front.
Brighton extended the lead just after the hour, punishing United’s wastefulness. Joel Veltman sent a pass down the left, where Gruda collected the ball and laid it off. Welbeck took one steadying touch, then drilled a powerful left-footed shot into the top of Lammens’ net, leaving the goalkeeper rooted.
WHAT A WIN FOR THE ALBION!pic.twitter.com/P24HXhbmqsBrighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 11, 2026
Brighton vs Manchester United FA Cup statistics and records
Fletcher’s side finished with more attempts and the higher expected goals value, but lacked accuracy. United had 18 shots and an expected goals figure of 1.73, while Brighton produced 13 efforts worth 1.13. Brighton converted key openings, whereas United were left reflecting on missed chances at both ends of the match.
| Team / Player | Statistic | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | Goals | 1 |
| Brighton | Goals | 2 |
| Manchester United | Shots | 18 |
| Brighton | Shots | 13 |
| Manchester United | Expected goals (xG) | 1.73 |
| Brighton | Expected goals (xG) | 1.13 |
| Danny Welbeck | Goals vs Manchester United | 8 |
| Danny Welbeck | Goals vs West Ham | 8 |
The defeat also carried historical significance for United’s season. United exited both the FA Cup and EFL Cup at the first hurdle, something that last happened in the 1981-82 campaign. Welbeck’s goal therefore not only sealed the tie but also confirmed another year without a major domestic cup for the Old Trafford club.
Late drama added to United’s issues, with Lacey dismissed soon after Sesko’s header. Lacey received two yellow cards in the space of two minutes during the closing stages. At 18 years and 227 days old, Lacey became the first teenage United player sent off in any competition since Luke Shaw against West Ham in February 2015.
Welbeck’s continued scoring run against United, combined with Brighton’s efficiency in key moments, ensured Brighton advanced and United’s wait for silverware extended. Brighton capitalised on United’s missed chances, protected the lead despite late pressure and managed the closing minutes better, securing a notable FA Cup victory at Old Trafford.
