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📉 Man United sink to 111-year low after FA Cup defeat against Brighton
Jan 11 2026 19:16 · By onefootball.com · 34 Reads
An already dismal season for Manchester United just got even worse as they crashed out of the FA Cup in the third round with a narrow 2-1 home defeat against Brighton.
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Brajan Gruda opened the scoring for the Seagulls inside the opening 15 minutes at Old Trafford before former Red Danny Welbeck extended the visitors' lead shortly after the break.
Any hope of a comeback sparked by a late goal from Benjamin Šeško was quickly squashed as academy graduate Shea Lacey was shown a red card for dissent in the 90th minute.
United were unable to find the all-important equaliser, making it the second domestic cup competition they have crashed out of at the first hurdle this season; the first time they have done so since the 1981/82 campaign.
But the stats don't end there, as this latest defeat means United will only play 40 games this season - the lowest number in 111 years (excluding years impacted by both world wars).
Can this season get any worse for United?
📸 PETER POWELL - AFP or licensors