Media review: Manchester United in the FA Cup

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How the newspapers and websites saw Sunday's 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-01-12T11:00+00:00

Pascal Gross hassles United's Kobbie Mainoo. 📷James Boardman

It was not only the Manchester-based reporters who regularly write about the city's red team who were somewhat downcast at Albion’s FA Cup victory at Old Trafford. As several writers noted, former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and one or two of his old boys looked none too happy either.

But the scribes had plenty of praise for the men in blue and white, and one in particular, who began his career with the home side. As Samuel Luckhurst wrote in The Sun, “There were former Manchester United players left, right and centre at Old Trafford.

“One of them ensured this would be the earliest United were assured of a trophyless season since 1970-71. Danny Welbeck’s eighth goal against his former club confirmed this will be another inquest season for United.

“Brighton’s opening goal placed the focus on a glum-looking Ferguson and his old pupils.

United had four first-half corners yet failed to unsettle a Brighton rearguard without beanpole bench-warmers Bart Verbruggen, Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke.

“United and their supporters were lifeless in the second half until the introduction of 18-year-old Shea Lacey. But another United academy graduate drew a louder roar. Unfortunately for United, it was the lad they let go more than 11 years ago.”

Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail agreed that “there was no question which United old boy made the biggest impact here.

“It's nearly 12 years since Danny Welbeck left his hometown club.

“He has been linked with a return to Old Trafford on several occasions, and no doubt would have been a better bet than most of the extortionately expensive strikers United have signed in the meantime.

“At the age of 35, Welbeck is still in peak form and he returned to haunt them once again by helping to set up Brighton's first goal and then smashing in the decisive second to dump United out of the FA Cup, his eighth goal against them since 2014.

“Captain for the night, Welbeck was outstanding for an equally impressive Brighton side who won at Old Trafford for the fourth year in a row with their first-ever victory over United in this competition.

“A night that started with Bruno Fernandes seeing stars ended with teenage substitute Shea Lacey seeing red on his Old Trafford debut.

“Fernandes was left with a bloody nose when Lisandro Martinez's shot hit him in the face in the warm-up, and perhaps we should have known then that Brighton were about to give United another one.

“A side playing fluidly despite making six changes from another 500-mile round trip to the Etihad just four days earlier, cut through United far too easily – especially down their left where Kadioglu was superb.”

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Albion soar into the FA Cup fourth round, with goals from Brajan Gruda and Danny Welbeck sealing victory in the North West. Club photographer James Boardman captured all the action.

Jamie Jackson of The Guardian wrote that “when United were carved apart it was simple. Brighton swept the ball left to Ferdi Kadioglu, he relayed it to Welbeck, and the captain stood the ball up. Georginio Rutter saw a header cleared off the line by Lisandro Martínez before Gruda blazed home.

“The TV cut to Sir Alex Ferguson with Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt sitting alongside and neither the erstwhile United manager nor his two former players were impressed.

“When Welbeck roved in at close range on the right, the surprise came in him hitting the side-netting, not the target, rather than the forward being put through with ease.

“As Brighton scored again, once more United’s defence was amateurish, allowing Welbeck to skip across the D and plant his foot through the ball, the former United player allowing Senne Lammens no chance to save.”

James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph gave an insight into Dat Guy’s departure from his boyhood club.

“That Brighton’s winning goal was scored by a former United player who should never have been sold merely rubbed salt into the wounds,” he wrote.

“Louis van Gaal told United staff at the time that Welbeck was offloaded because he was convinced the striker would never score goals. That was 11½ years ago, since when Welbeck has scored 81 goals in 330 appearances for Arsenal, Watford and Brighton, eight of which have now come against his former club.

“Welbeck, now 35, shamed many younger United players here with his energy, hunger, movement and leadership. His head could have dropped when he missed a big chance early on after Senne Lammens had sent a pass intended for Kobbie Mainoo straight into the feet of the former England striker, whose shot was saved.

Jason Steele made some crucial early saves at Old Trafford. 📷James Boardman

“But he is too strong a character for that. He led the Brighton line quite brilliantly and his goal – a thrashed finish into the top corner – was just rewards for his nous and endeavour.

“This was Brighton’s fourth win in five visits to Old Trafford despite Hurzeler making six changes to the team that drew at Manchester City in midweek. Many senior men started on the bench and plenty were not here at all. Of the starters, Jason Steele, Olivier Boscagli, Pascal Gross and Diego Coppola had five Premier League starts between them this season.

“Brighton, with one win in eight coming into this, have not exactly been flying themselves but once they went ahead they never really looked like surrendering that lead.

“Having worked the ball coolly and calmly down the right channel, they moved inside before switching the play to the left to the impressive Ferdi Kadioglu. He slipped in Welbeck, who shook off the attentions of Mason Mount as he motioned one way and then another, before crossing from the left. Georginio Rutter’s header was cleared off the line by Lisandro Martínez but Gruda smashed home the rebound. There were four United bodies in the six yard box and none ever looked like dealing with the trouble.”

BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone summed up, writing that “Brighton fans will feel they owed Manchester United one when it came to the FA Cup.

“They might have won on their last three trips to Old Trafford prior to this season, but in this competition, they had nothing but painful memories.

“The biggest was that 1983 'Smith must score' FA Cup final, when Seagulls striker Gordon Smith's shot in the last minute at Wembley was saved by Gary Bailey, thus denying them victory, with defeat following in the replay.

“Three seasons ago, the two sides met at Wembley again. Most observers felt Brighton were clearly the better side in the semi-final, but it was United who prevailed, on penalties.

“This time Fabian Hurzeler's side got the win they deserved.”