In a game valid for the third phase of the FA Cup, Manchester United was defeated by Brighton 2-1, this Saturday, at Old Trafford, and ended up being eliminated early from the competition.
Playing at home, the Red Devils were unable to impose their game and saw the Seagulls secure qualification with goals from Brajan Gruda and Danny Welbeck, trained in the club’s youth categories. The team led by Darren Fletcher took advantage of Benjamin Sesko’s lights out.
Experiencing an irregular moment in the season, United entered this stage of the tournament directly in an attempt to build momentum after a campaign of ups and downs in the Premier League, where they occupied seventh place. The Red Devils face Manchester City at Old Trafford in the next round of the league, while 11th-placed Brighton face Bournemouth at home.
How was the game
Manchester United started the match pressing and created good chances in the first minutes. At two, Matheus Cunha launched Diogo Dalot, who came face to face with Jason Steele, but finished practically on top of the goalkeeper, who made a great save. Shortly after, in the seventh minute, Brighton’s goalkeeper appeared again when he cleared Bruno Fernandes’ free kick for a corner, hit in the left corner after a play rehearsed with Kobbie Mainoo.
Despite the home team’s dominant start, it was Brighton who were efficient. In the 12th minute, Danny Welbeck advanced from the left and crossed into the area; Georginio Rutter headed in, Lisandro Martínez saved on the line, but Brajan Gruda took advantage of the surplus to push it into the net and open the scoring at Old Trafford.
United still tried to react before the break. In stoppage time, Matheus Cunha made a beautiful individual play and hit a cross, with the ball passing very close to the post.
