Manchester United Knocked Out of FA Cup as Carrick Tipped for Interim Return

Overview

• Brighton won 2-1 at Old Trafford in the FA Cup third round, with Brajan Gruda and Danny Welbeck scoring before Benjamin Sesko’s late reply.
• Teenager Shea Lacey was sent off for a second yellow card in the 89th minute, halting United’s late momentum.
• Interim coach Darren Fletcher said the players "are fragile" and called for a reset in confidence after a draw with Burnley and this loss.
• British outlets including BBC and Sky Sports report advanced talks for Michael Carrick to take interim charge until season’s end, with a decision targeted before Wednesday training.
• With exits from both domestic cups and no European competition, Record projects a 40-game season—the fewest since 1914–15—as a league meeting with Manchester City approaches.