Former striker Danny Welbeck helped Brighton eliminate managerless Manchester United from the FA Cup at Old Trafford, completing an unwelcome cup double.

Welbeck scored Brighton’s second goal to advance them to the fourth round in front of his former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, and with former teammate Darren Fletcher serving as acting manager at his former club.

The 35-year-old scored his sixth goal while visiting the stadium he once called home and his eighth goal versus United.

Brighton’s advantage from Brajan Gruda’s first-half goal was extended by Senne Lammens’ thundering shot into the roof.

Brighton held on for their first-ever FA Cup triumph over the 13-time winners at their seventh attempt when Benjamin Sesko’s header five minutes from time gave the home team life. However, 18-year-old home replacement Shea Lacey was sent off in the last minute.

For the first time since 1981–82, United have eliminated both domestic cup competitions at the earliest level with their humiliating EFL Cup second-round exit at League Two Grimsby.

It also means that Fletcher’s two games as interim manager added to a campaign that is starting to fall apart, including this home loss and a poor Premier League stalemate against Burnley.

United’s next two opponents are title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal; they have now only won once in their previous seven games.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are seen to be the front-runners to replace Ruben Amorim until the end of the season, and the club is expected to make that announcement within the next 48 hours.

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