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Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup on Sunday after a 1-2 loss at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have now lost at the first time of asking in both cup competitions, which means they will play only 40 games this season, the lowest in more than 110 years.
Interim manager Darren Fletcher picked an attacking lineup for the game, with as many as three attacking midfielders providing support to Benjamin Sesko up top.
However, none of them could make their mark in the end, with the backline really letting the team down on the night.
Shea Lacey cameo
The hosts seemed to be building a head of steam when Fletcher brought on Shea Lacey for the ineffective Mason Mount.
I want to apologise to all of my teammates staff and the fans 😔 I let everybody down tonight I shouldn’t let my emotions get the better of me I will do everything I can to make this right 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/9pmLMlHxWu
— Shea lacey (@Shealacey10) January 11, 2026
Sesko’s goal in the 85th minute set up a grandstand finish only for the academy wonderkid’s late red card to take the sting out of the game.
He initially saw a yellow for a late challenge, before subsequently seeing his second yellow for throwing away the ball in frustration.
Purely going by the letter of the law, the referee did take the right call, but considering the Carrington graduate is only 18 and was on for only his third senior appearance, he could have kept his card in his pocket.
Red card and subsequent reaction
A point Fletcher was quick to make the end of the game. However, the winger came out on social media to apologise to the fans, vowing to make things right in the weeks to come.
“I want to apologise to all of my teammates, staff and the fans.
“I let everybody down tonight. I shouldn’t let my emotions get the better of me, I will do everything I can to make this right.”
He was visibly distraught as he headed down the tunnel, and his double yellow means the Liverpool-born attacker will miss the Manchester derby next week.
Shea Lacey has already shown he has bags of potential so he will be a big miss. Hopefully, he will learn from this mistake and become even more stronger on the pitch.
Feature image Jan Kruger via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
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