United set to face Brighton in the FA Cup third round | OneFootball

Manchester United’s opponents in the FA Cup third round have been confirmed following Monday’s televised draw.

The Red Devils will face Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford on the weekend of 10/11 January 2026 in an all-Premier League clash.

Both teams will be facing off in the FA Cup for the ninth time, with the most famous encounter coming back in the 1982/83 season.

They met in the final, which initially finished 2-2, forcing a replay. United subsequently emerged 4-0 victors in the replay.

United’s recent record vs Brighton

The two sides have already met in the Premier League this season, with the 20-time English league champions emerging 4-2 winners at the Theatre of Dreams.

A brace from Bryan Mbeumo, and goals from Matheus Cunha, and Casemiro proved to be enough to down Fabian Hürzeler’s team.

However, this time out, both sides are likely to be without several key players due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

United’s most recent FA Cup meeting with the Seagulls had also ended in victory back in 2023, with then-manager Erik ten Hag overseeing a penalty shootout win to reach the final.

Manchester United will be gunning for top spot

United then fell short at Wembley against noisy neighbours Manchester City, but then took their revenge a year later by downing them in the summit clash the following season.

Last season under Ruben Amorim, the three-time Champions League winners had exited the competition in the fifth-round following a penalty shootout loss to Fulham.

In the previous round, they had stunningly seen off Arsenal.

United have won the famous competition 13 times, and will be gunning for top spot, with Arsenal the current record-holders with 14 triumphs.

Feature image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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