Manchester United fans powerfully voiced their full feelings around Benjamin Sesko and Co after the 2-1 Brighton defeat in the third round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford.
Darren Fletcher took charge of his second match for the Red Devils as caretaker boss, following Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Burnley in the Premier League.
The Red Devils walked away with a Premier League point from their visit to Turf Moor on Wednesday before United switched their attention away from Burnley.
What did you think of Kobbie Mainoo’s performance vs Brighton?
Did he do enough to earn a starting place vs City next weekend?
United’s FA Cup campaign started and ended on Sunday evening, with Brajan Gruda and former Red Devils striker Danny Welbeck sealing a stunning win for Brighton.
Brajan Gruda broke the deadlock for Brighton against United inside the opening 15 minutes and the Seagulls took a 1-0 lead into the half-time break at Old Trafford.
Danny Welbeck came back to haunt his former side in the second half and the 35-year-old striker doubled Brighton’s advantage over Man Utd in the 65th minute.
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What Man Utd fans said about Benjamin Sesko and Co after the third-round FA Cup match against Brighton
Speaking in United In Focus’ TalkingPoints, Manchester United fans were deeply mixed on Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot.
One United fan said: “One thing I was pleased about was Sesko bagging. Going into [the Manchester] City and Arsenal [matches], well, at least [we will] have a firing striker in form, with Amad [Diallo], Mbeumo, Cunha, [Mason] Mount, Bruno [Fernandes] and [Joshua] Zirkzee in the matchday squad as options to surround him.”
“I thought Cunha was absolutely shocking. Again. Not to dig him out or anything, but it seemed like everything was just off,” a second TalkingPoints user posted.
Who was Man Utd’s man of the match in the 2-1 loss to Brighton?
We are trying to keep positive, who impressed you most?
A third Red Devils supporter claimed: “Yeah, I think he [Cunha] tailed off after a bright start. He played Dalot in really well, where he probably should’ve got an assist.”
Somebody else wrote: “Don’t get me started on Dalot. He is absolutely awful.”
“I’d probably say Sesko, [Shea] Lacey did well after coming on, but Sesko was a threat throughout again and got his goal to give us a lifeline.”
“He [Sesko] didn’t look [like] the player at Burnley, though. His movement was awful in the second half,” another added.
Someone else commented: “I can’t believe Martinez kept getting into the forward line. He seems to have forgotten that he is a centre-back. Also, why no [Ayden] Heaven? He has been our most consistent defender lately. Fletcher needs to go back to the U18s.”
And a seventh argued: “Yeah, weird one that. [Manuel] Ugarte ended up deeper than Martinez most of the time, can’t understand the thinking behind that.”
Man Utd’s FA Cup result is a damning turning point in a turbulent 2025-26 season at Old Trafford
United were handed a lifeline late in the second half after striker Sesko headed home at the near post from a Bruno Fernandes corner in the 85th minute.
However, Man Utd were unable to find the all-important equaliser before the full-time whistle, with the Red Devils finishing the match with 10 men on the pitch.
Man Utd have lost 2-1 at home to Brighton, what is your INSTANT REACTION?
United are ELIMINATED from the FA Cup
Shea Lacey was dismissed in the 90th minute after a second booking on the night, with the 18-year-old winger making his way straight down the Old Trafford tunnel.
United will now switch their attention back to their Premier League campaign and the Red Devils will return to action at Old Trafford for the next Manchester derby.
The Red Devils and Manchester City’s Premier League showdown is slated for next Saturday afternoon, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30pm UK time at Old Trafford.
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