Manchester United XI vs Brighton: Starting lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for FA Cup

Darren Fletcher rules out 15-year-old being called into squad for third-round tie

Kobbie Mainoo makes just his second start of the season when Manchester United play Brighton in the FA Cup .

Mainoo returned as a substitute in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Burnley and has a chance to impress under interim boss Darren Fletcher after being frozen out by Ruben Amorim.

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Fletcher will be in charge for the third-round tie against Brighton, as United continue talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick about taking over until the end of the season.

Fletcher played a 4-2-3-1 formation against Burnley and sticks with a four-man defence.

Kobbie Mainoo makes just his second start of the season

Manchester United via Getty Imag

Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount also returned off the bench at Turf Moor and start.

Bryan Mbeumo is still missing despite Cameroon being knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday. Amad Diallo’s Ivory Coast were knocked out on Saturday.

"I don't think so,” said Fletcher when asked if Mbeumo could be back in time to be available. “I think it's too close a turnaround. So we'll have the same players available for the game, as we had against Burnley, so no new additions.”

After two goals at Burnley, Benjamin Sesko will want to keep momentum going up top.

Harry Maguire was back on the bench at Burnley but did not get on as his minutes are managed.

Flecther said: "Well, he has been out for a while so it would probably be looking at his load and things like that.

“That decision's not been made, but you've seen the players come back the other night. You've seen Mason, you've seen Kobbie, you've seen Bruno.

“There has to be some understanding of their first minutes, we might have to be careful with that process to build back in, so I think Harry will probably be in that situation for the weekend.”

Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined due to injury.

Teenager Shea Lacey could get an opportunity to impress from the bench.

But Fletcher has ruled out the prospect of 15-year-old Gabriel being called into the first-team squad for the game.

While Premier League rules prevent Gabriel being involved in top-flight games because he was 14 when the season started, the same regulation is not in place for FA Cup ties.

But Fletcher says it is too soon for the youngster.

Fletcher has a decision to make between Senne Lammens and Altay Bayındir in goal.

Starting Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1) : Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu; Mainoo, Ugarte; Mount, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko

Subs : Bayindir, Heaven, Maguire, Malacia, Casemiro, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Lacey, Zirkzee

Injured : de Ligt

Unavailable : Amad, Mbeumo, Mazraoui (AFCON)

Date and time : 4.30pm GMT on Sunday, January 11, 2026

How to watch : TNT Sports