A Flat Start and a Familiar Pattern
This was Fletcher’s second game in charge, an FA Cup tie against Brighton. After the draw against Burnley, there were at least a few positives to take. Most of us expected to win that game, but we moved on to this one hoping for a proper manager bounce.
It didn’t happen.
The formation stayed mostly the same. Yoro and Martinez partnered at centre back, with Dorgu on the left and Dalot on the right. Ugarte and Mainoo played in midfield. Bruno was the CAM, Cunha on the left, Mount on the right, and Sesko led the line in good form.
The opening was quick. United actually created a big early chance when Dalot found himself almost one on one with the goalkeeper. He missed it. He really should have done better, but at this point his inconsistency feels normal. He is not a striker, yet he keeps ending up in striker positions. And he keeps missing.
Then came the reality check in the 10th minute. Brighton built patiently from the back. Welbeck crossed, Rutter’s header was blocked, and the loose ball fell kindly for Brighton. Gruda finished it. 1–0. Brighton scoring early against us again felt inevitable.
Open Football, Little Control
The first 15 minutes were open. Both teams had five attempts each. It showed how stretched this game already was. Between the 20th and 27th minute, United had more possession, but the match still felt loose. Brighton looked dangerous every time they crossed the ball. The tempo was high, but control was missing.
One thing that stood out was the goalkeeper situation. We are clearly trying to build from the back now, which puts more responsibility on Lammens. He is comfortable with both feet, but his pass accuracy worries me. Under Amorim, he was often told to go long. This system asks more of him, and I am not convinced yet.
Mount was almost invisible in the first 30 minutes. Mainoo, on the other hand, tried to progress the ball and stayed involved. Still, we were getting dispossessed too easily. The game remained wide open.
Pascal Gross returning in January and being fit to play against us felt typical. He was quality. Brighton’s goalkeeper also had a solid half, saving Bruno’s long-range effort and staying composed throughout.
Right before halftime, Dalot again wasted a promising moment after a long ball from Martinez. His final pass let him down. Cunha then ended the half with a finesse effort from outside the box that drifted wide.
Second-Half Collapse and Confusing Changes
United started the second half with more possession, but Brighton looked more dangerous whenever they attacked. This was a rotated Brighton side. United were playing their strongest team. And yet, Brighton looked sharper.
Fletcher made changes. Mainoo and Mount came off. Zirkzee and Shea Lacey came on. It was an interesting call.
Then came the second blow. Ugarte completely lost Welbeck. Welbeck ran through, received the pass, and finished into the top left corner. It was a brilliant finish, but the defending was poor. Yoro could have done better, but Ugarte was the real problem. At 2–0 down in the 66th minute, another cup exit was staring at us.
Lacey did bring some energy. He delivered a great cross for Sesko, but Sesko failed to hit the target. That moment summed it up. The intent was there, the execution was not. By the 70th minute, it already felt over.
Casemiro and Maguire then came on at 78 minutes. Maybe for set pieces. Maybe for chaos. It felt like hope based on luck rather than belief.
Late Hope, Then Total Chaos
Then came a lifeline. Sesko headed in with five minutes left. Suddenly there was belief. Four minutes to go. The crowd was alive again. Brighton dropped deep and tried to slow everything down.
At the 88th minute, Brighton won a foul. Tension was everywhere. And then the madness.
Lacey fouled Kadioglu. The ball went out, Lacey thought he didn’t touch ball. The linesman disagreed. Lacey threw the ball down in frustration. He was already on a yellow. Second yellow. Red card. Shea Lacey sent off.
So now United had ten men, chasing a draw in stoppage time. Ninety-three minutes on the clock. Two minutes left. A long season ahead, and this already felt embarrassing. I do not know why I expected a win, but it was over.
United were knocked out.
Let’s just hope the temporary interim manager turns out to be the right one.
UNITED SCRIPTED. 
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