Managerless Manchester United slumped to a humiliating FA Cup exit at Old Trafford as former favourite Danny Welbeck came back to haunt them in Brighton’s shock victory.
With Sir Alex Ferguson watching on and ex-Red Darren Fletcher in temporary charge, it was the familiar face of Welbeck who delivered the killer blow, rifling home Brighton’s second goal to seal a famous win for the Seagulls.
The 35-year-old, once nurtured by Ferguson himself, now seems to reserve his best moments for his former club. This was his eighth goal against United, and his sixth at the Theatre of Dreams.
Welbeck’s thunderous strike into the roof of Senne Lammens’ net doubled Brighton’s lead after Brajan Gruda had given the visitors a first-half advantage.
United briefly threatened a late escape when Benjamin Sesko headed home five minutes from time, but teenage substitute Shea Lacey’s red card in stoppage time killed off any comeback hopes.
Brighton held firm to claim their first-ever FA Cup victory over the 13-time winners at the seventh attempt, and leave Old Trafford in stunned silence.
For United, the defeat completed an unwanted cup double. Just days after being dumped out of the EFL Cup by League Two Grimsby, they have now exited both domestic competitions at the earliest possible stage for the first time since 1981-82.
Fletcher’s two-game stint in charge has delivered only misery: a disappointing draw with Burnley in the Premier League followed by this damaging home defeat.
United have now won just one of their last seven matches, with daunting fixtures against Manchester City and Arsenal looming next.
And with the season threatening to unravel, the club are expected to name Ruben Amorim’s temporary replacement within the next 48 hours. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are believed to be the leading candidates.
For now, though, it is Welbeck who steals the headlines, and United who are left picking up the pieces.