Overview
- Danny Welbeck struck after Brajan Gruda’s opener to secure Brighton’s 2-1 third‑round win at Old Trafford, with Benjamin Sesko’s late header only a consolation before teenager Shea Lacey was sent off.
- Home supporters booed at full time and displayed dissent, including anti-ownership chants and a banner criticizing Sir Jim Ratcliffe, underscoring growing unrest inside the stadium.
- Interim coach Darren Fletcher said the performance showed a fragile squad and urged players to respond, while questioning the second yellow shown to Lacey for dissent.
- United have already exited the League Cup to fourth‑tier Grimsby and now have only the Premier League to pursue, sitting seventh in the table with Champions League qualification still the priority.
- The club is weighing a short-term coaching appointment, having spoken to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick about an interim role, with a decision expected soon according to multiple reports.