Welbeck scores as Brighton knock out Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United’s FA Cup campaign ended in embarrassing fashion as Brighton & Hove Albion claimed a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, with former United striker Danny Welbeck scoring a thunderous goal to secure the win.

The hosts started positively but were rocked early. In the 12th minute, The Seagulls broke the deadlock when Brajan Gruda capitalized on a rebound after Lisandro Martinez cleared a header off the line, giving the visitors an unexpected lead.

Despite controlling possession for much of the half, United struggled to create clear-cut chances. Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick was tipped around the post, and Benjamin Sesko saw a header comfortably saved by Steele.

Welbeck, returning to the stadium where he spent four years, doubled Brighton’s lead midway through the second half with a spectacular strike into the top corner, a finish that underlined his enduring quality. The 35-year-old now boasts eight goals against his former club, six of which came at Old Trafford, adding an extra layer of poignancy to the victory.

United responded late, and Sesko’s header in the 85th minute gave the home side a glimmer of hope. However, their fightback ended in chaos when 18-year-old substitute Shea Lacey received a red card in stoppage time, leaving United unable to salvage the result.

Brighton held on to record their first FA Cup win at Old Trafford, finally overcoming the 13-time winners after seven previous attempts.

For Manchester United, the defeat compounds a disastrous domestic cup season, following a shock early exit to League Two side Grimsby in the EFL Cup. Interim manager Darren Fletcher oversaw just two games- this defeat and a draw with Burnley in the Premier League - and the Red Devils have now won only once in their last seven matches. 

Attention now turns to United’s search for an interim manager to guide the team for the remainder of the campaign, with former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick among the leading candidates. 

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

3':

Missed opportunity! Diogo Dalot from Manchester United takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sails over the crossbar.

7':

Missed opportunity! Leny Yoro from Manchester United directed a header from the left side of the six-yard box, but it went wide to the left. The chance was set up by Lisandro Martínez, who delivered a cross after a corner kick.

Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead against Manchester United with a score of 1-0. Brajan Gruda scores with a left-footed strike from the middle of the box, sending the ball straight into the center of the net.

12':

GOAL Brighton & Hove Albion: Brajan Gruda (Brighton & Hove Albion) scores!

Brajan Gruda scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

17':

Missed opportunity! Matheus Cunha from Manchester United took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide.

21':

Missed opportunity! Matheus Cunha from Manchester United had a header from the middle of the penalty area but couldn?t find the target.

22':

Missed opportunity! Joël Veltman from Brighton and Hove Albion took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area after a set piece, but it went wide.

40':

Missed opportunity! Danny Welbeck from Brighton and Hove Albion took a right-footed shot from a challenging position on the right side, but it went wide.

41':

Missed opportunity! Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it goes just wide to the right after a direct free kick.

45 +1':

Missed opportunity. Matheus Cunha of Manchester United takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, coming close but veering to the left. The chance was set up by Bruno Fernandes during a quick counter-attack.

51':

Missed opportunity! Jack Hinshelwood from Brighton and Hove Albion took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide.

52':

Missed opportunity! Mason Mount from Manchester United took a left-footed shot from the center of the box, but it narrowly missed the top left corner. The chance was created by a cross from Bruno Fernandes after a set piece.

54':

Missed opportunity! Joël Veltman from Brighton and Hove Albion took a left-footed shot from the center of the box after a set piece, but it didn't hit the target.

58':

Missed opportunity! Brajan Gruda from Brighton and Hove Albion took a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it narrowly went wide to the right. He was set up by Georginio Rutter.

It's Manchester United 0, Brighton and Hove Albion 2. Danny Welbeck scores for Brighton with a left-footed strike from the middle of the penalty area.

64':

GOAL Brighton & Hove Albion: Danny Welbeck (Brighton & Hove Albion) scores!

Danny Welbeck scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

69':

Missed opportunity. Benjamin Sesko from Manchester United had a header from the middle of the penalty area that went wide.

73':

Missed opportunity! Ferdi Kadioglu from Brighton and Hove Albion takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

80':

Missed opportunity! Shea Lacey from Manchester United took a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it went over the goal and to the left. Casemiro provided the assist.

Manchester United 1, Brighton and Hove Albion 2. Benjamin Sesko scores for Manchester United with a header from the right side of the six-yard box, placing it into the bottom right corner. The assist came from Bruno Fernandes, who delivered a cross after a corner kick.

85':

GOAL Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United) scores!

Benjamin Sesko scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches) Benjamin Sesko scores goal number 7 for his team (21 matches)

89':

Red Card for Shea Lacey (Manchester United)

Shea Lacey has now picked up 0 red in the competition (1 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match