Old Trafford was the stage for Manchester United’s FA Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday night, but it was the visitors who emerged victorious with a 2–1 win, sealing United’s early exit from the competition.
Goals from Brajan Gruda and former Red Devils striker Danny Welbeck proved decisive, and in the aftermath of the defeat, frustration among supporters has been overwhelmingly directed toward one individual in particular.
Brighton, under the guidance of Fabian Hürzeler, weathered early pressure from the hosts before striking first in the 12th minute. Gruda capitalized on United’s defensive lapses to give the Seagulls the lead, silencing the home crowd.
After the break, Welbeck returned to haunt his former club, calmly finishing with his left foot to double Brighton’s advantage and put United in a precarious position.
With Darren Fletcher taking charge from the touchline for the first time, Manchester United dominated possession for long spells and managed to register 18 attempts on goal.
However, that dominance rarely translated into genuine danger for Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, who was largely untroubled. It took a well-timed header from Benjamin Šeško to finally give United supporters something to cheer, briefly reigniting hopes of a comeback.
In the build-up to the match, sources close to the club had suggested that Diogo Dalot’s continued presence at right-back was partly due to a distant relationship between him and former head coach Ruben Amorim.
Many fans believed this was why the Portuguese defender retained his spot despite inconsistent displays.
Now, however, there is a growing consensus that change is long overdue.
While Dalot is undeniably blessed with physical qualities such as speed and stamina, much of the criticism aimed at him centers on his decision-making, particularly in attacking situations.
On multiple occasions in the first half, Dalot found himself positioned as United’s most advanced player, yet he failed to make the most of promising opportunities.
His inability to apply the finishing touch or make the correct final pass only heightened the frustration inside Old Trafford.
The calls for United to move on from Dalot have grown louder. For too long, many supporters feel he has escaped serious scrutiny despite delivering performances that fall below the standards expected at the club.
When it truly matters, he has struggled to convince that he deserves to be a regular starter, and reinforcing the right-back position is now seen as an urgent priority for those making decisions in the boardroom.
Ultimately, United were unable to overturn the two-goal deficit, and Brighton comfortably saw out the match to book their place in the next round.
Having already been eliminated from the League Cup earlier in the season by Grimsby Town, United’s FA Cup exit represents another painful chapter in a campaign marked by uncertainty and disappointment.
On a night that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, only a handful of United players emerged with any credit.
Kobbie Mainoo impressed with his composure and intelligence in midfield, while Šeško’s movement and presence caused Brighton problems.
In contrast, it was another difficult outing for Dalot, who once again found himself under heavy scrutiny.
Dalot arrived at United in 2020 from Porto, eager to work under fellow Portuguese manager José Mourinho.
Since then, he has endured turbulent periods under multiple managers, including Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Erik ten Hag, and Ruben Amorim. Now 26, his future at Old Trafford appears increasingly uncertain.
Supporters did not hold back in their post-match reactions. Some claimed he should have departed alongside Amorim earlier in January, while others questioned how he remains at the club at all.
One fan bluntly described his performance as “shockingly bad,” summing up the mood of a fanbase running out of patience with Diogo Dalot.
