Danny Welbeck returned to familiar territory to deliver the decisive blow as Brighton knocked managerless Manchester United out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford.
Watched by former boss Sir Alex Ferguson and with ex-team-mate Darren Fletcher in temporary charge of United, Welbeck powered in Brighton’s second goal with a thunderous strike into the roof of the net.
It was the 35-year-old’s eighth goal against his former club and his sixth at the stadium he once called home.
Brighton had taken the lead in the first half through Brajan Gruda, who reacted quickest after Georginio Rutter’s effort from Welbeck’s cross was cleared off the line.
Welbeck’s goal doubled the advantage and left United facing another damaging cup exit.
A late header from Benjamin Šeško with five minutes remaining briefly reignited home hopes, but any momentum was halted when 18-year-old substitute Shea Lacey was sent off in the final minute.
Brighton held firm to secure their first-ever FA Cup win over United at the seventh attempt.
The defeat completed an unwanted domestic cup double for United, who had already been dumped out of the EFL Cup by League Two side Grimsby.
It is the first time since 1981-82 they have exited both competitions at the earliest possible stage.
Fletcher’s short spell in charge ends with a disappointing draw against Burnley and this loss, leaving United with just one win in their past seven matches.
With Manchester City and Arsenal next up in the league, pressure continues to mount ahead of the imminent appointment of a caretaker successor to Ruben Amorim, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick among the leading candidates.
United’s season, which had been delicately balanced, now appears close to unraveling.
Sitting seventh in the Premier League offers little comfort with difficult fixtures looming and supporter unrest growing ahead of a planned protest against the ownership.
The early cup exits also mean a shortened 40-game campaign, United’s lowest since before the First World War, adding further financial strain to a club already paying heavily for recent managerial changes.
There was no solace in youth either, as highly rated teenager Lacey endured a miserable debut, dismissed late on after a moment of frustration left him in tears as he departed the pitch.
For Brighton, this victory felt long overdue. Past FA Cup meetings with United had brought heartbreak, from the 1983 final to a semi-final defeat on penalties three years ago.
This time, Fabian Hürzeler’s side were the better team for long spells.
After surviving an early scare when Jason Steele denied Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, Brighton grew in confidence and control.
Gruda’s opener set the tone, and Welbeck’s emphatic finish proved decisive.
Even when Šeško’s late goal threatened a nervy finale, Brighton stayed composed to earn a deserved place in the fourth round and finally banish their FA Cup frustrations against United.
