The Manchester United loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round of FA Cup means that they now remain alive in only one competition, which is the Premier League. The Red Devils suffered a 1-2 defeat at home to Brighton on Sunday, January 11.
Brighton had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half before Benjamin Sesko reduced the deficit for the Red Devils. It was the first match in charge at home for interim manager Darren Fletcher, who looked almost as helpless as most of United’s recent managers have.
Manchester United Loss to Brighton Came With a New Formation
The Manchester United loss to Brighton happened despite a 4-2-3-1 formation, showing once again that the formation means little when proper players are not there. Yes, it is true that United still missed Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo, but such things can happen over the course of a marathon season.
Bruno Fernandes played in his preferred No.10 role, but looked more comfortable when he had to drop back to accommodate Joshua Zirkzee in the second half of the Manchester United vs Brighton match.
By dropping back, Fernandes had more scope to influence the game through his passing. As long as he played in an advanced position, he did not get proper delivery of the ball towards himself. Moreover, his combination with Cunha and Mount, the wingers, have also not settled down really well, as he has hardly played on the same line as them this season.
In the double-pivot that started in Manchester United loss to Brighton, Kobbie Mainoo looked okay, but was a bit too mobile at times. Manuel Ugarte stayed in his position, but clearly lacked the passing ability to make any influence on United’s attacks.
Another problem was starting Mason Mount on the right flank. He does not have a particularly good left foot and was hardly influential in that position. United looked a lot sharper through their right side, when Shea Lacey was introduced in Mount’s place in the second half. Lacey has a strong left foot and can be tried in that position in the future more often.
Matheus Cunha once again was a player who worked really hard, as did Patrick Dorgu. However, Cunha’s tendency to often move across from the right flank made United lose its structure in atrack. Diogo Dalot was once again ordinary and failed to score from a one-vs-one situation with the opposition goalkeeper. Dalot’s combination with Mount did not go anywhere near in emulating the effect usually created by Mbeumo and Amad through the right side of the pitch.
United looked more threatening when they shunned all inhibitions and went all out during the last 20 minutes or so. Sesko scored the goal from a Fernandes corner and the likes of Dorgu and Cunha kept trying.
However, the quality that Danny Welbeck, a former Manchester United and Arsenal player, showed in his superb first touch and finish for Brighton’s second goal, was something the Red Devils desperately needed.
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Manchester United Likely To Experience More Tough Times
The Manchester United loss to Brighton might not be the end of agony for Fletcher. United will play Manchester City and Arsenal in their next two Premier League matches and Fletcher could not have asked for any tougher pair of oppositions.
As Manchester United vs Brighton game pointed out, there is little hope for the Red Devils, aside from the fact that Amad might be back for the Manchester City match and Mbeumo as well, for the Arsenal one.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Xinhua
Recording Date: 11.01.2026
