Manchester United fans responded to the performances of Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes after the Red Devils were knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of Brighton at Old Trafford.
A shell-shocked Darren Fletcher watched on from the Old Trafford dugout as Manchester United fell short to Brighton in a 2-1 defeat in the third-round tie.
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?
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United’s loss to Brighton now means that the Red Devils have been reduced to a 40-match season, which is another massive blow in their unsettled 2025-26 campaign.
The Red Devils were left chasing the FA Cup clash on Sunday evening after Brajan Gruda and Danny Welbeck netted in the first half and second half respectively.
Benjamin Sesko pulled one back for United in the third-round contest, but the Red Devils were later reduced to 10 men after teenager Shea Lacey was sent off.
READ MORE: Man Utd fans deeply divided about Benjamin Sesko and three other players after performances vs Brighton in FA Cup
Man Utd fans’ verdict on Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes after Brighton knocked the Red Devils out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford
Speaking in United In Focus’ TalkingPoints, Manchester United fans singled out Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes for their highs and lows against Brighton.
A Red Devils supporter wrote: “He was a cut above most of the others.”
Someone else commented: “Think he [Fernandes] started well; to be fair to him, [he] had a good shot from distance, which was saved in the bottom corner. But think he tailed off a bit, although it was him [sic] who assisted Sesko, I suppose.”
What is your opinion on Shea Lacey being sent off vs Brighton?
Harsh refereeing or a silly mistake from the youngster?
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“Thought he was decent, nothing unbelievable by his standards, but nice and steady. Would like to see him next to Casemiro,” a third United fan posted.
While a fourth posted: “I thought Mainoo was the only reason we could move the ball forwards at all. [Manuel] Ugarte had a decent game, but he just can’t process the play; Mainoo can.”
And a fifth said: “He [Fernandes] had to shift deeper after Mainoo got subbed. Lost his threat in the attack, but couldn’t move it up the pitch without him.”
“Bruno Fernandes [was the Man of the Match for Man Utd],” another suggested.
Somebody else added: “Kobbie Mainoo [was the Man of the Match for Man Utd].”
READ MORE: Forget Thomas Tuchel, Declan Rice now says manager linked with Man Utd head coach role is ‘amazing’
Man Utd’s woes in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup speak volumes about what has happened in the 2025-26 campaign
Brighton will now look forward to the fourth-round draw of the FA Cup on Monday, while the reality will continue to sink in for Man Utd supporters about this season.
United fans watched the Red Devils crash out of the Carabao Cup last August under Ruben Amorim after Grimsby Town’s stunning second-round upset over United.
Fast-forward from Grimsby Town’s penalty shootout win against United at Blundell Park and the Red Devils have suffered their latest setback in the 2025-26 campaign.
Ineos need to sort this out at Man Utd immediately – there is no direction
How worried are you about the rest of the season?
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Man Utd had only one match in the Carabao Cup and the same is now said for their FA Cup season, with Darren Fletcher overseeing a woeful result on Sunday evening.
Following United’s FA Cup defeat against Brighton under Fletcher’s caretaker spell, the Red Devils will resume their Premier League season on 17th January.
Premier League title challengers Manchester City will travel to Old Trafford and face seventh-place Man Utd in next Saturday’s Manchester derby at 12:30pm UK time.
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