United’s FA Cup Exit Deepens Fears of Trophyless Season After Brighton Defeat

Manchester United’s hopes of ending the season with silverware suffered a major blow on Sunday evening, as they were knocked out of the FA Cup following a 2–1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils, already out of Europe and eliminated from the Carabao Cup earlier in the season by Grimsby Town, now face the very real prospect of finishing the campaign without a single trophy. The FA Cup had been seen as a realistic route to redemption, but Brighton once again proved to be an uncomfortable opponent.

United started the third-round tie brightly, showing early intent, but their momentum was halted in the 12th minute when Brajan Gruda gave the visitors the lead. Brighton grew in confidence thereafter, and former United striker Danny Welbeck haunted his old club by doubling the Seagulls’ advantage with a composed finish.

Although Benjamin Sesko pulled one back for United, the goal failed to spark a comeback and ultimately served as little more than a consolation as Brighton saw out the match with control and maturity.

From a broader perspective, this defeat feels less like a shock and more like a reflection of United’s ongoing struggles. Despite flashes of promise, there remains a lack of consistency, cutting edge and authority in key moments. For a club of United’s stature, exiting domestic competitions so early raises uncomfortable questions about direction, recruitment and identity.

Attention now turns to the Premier League, where United face rivals Manchester City in a highly anticipated derby at Old Trafford. However, with confidence fragile and pressure mounting, the challenge will be less about tactics and more about character. For United fans, the worry is no longer just about losing trophies — it is about losing the sense of progress that once defined the club.