Welbeck & Co end Red Devils' hopes of trophy

Rollercoaster week ends with Cup exit for managerless United

- By SIMON PEACH

wide of the Brighton goal

MANAGERLESS Manchester United's hopes of ending a topsy-turvy season with silverware went up in smoke as Danny Welbeck once again scored against his former club and Brighton finally secured a first FA Cup victory against the Red Devils.

A whirlwind week that began with Ruben Amorim’s sacking after 14 underwhelming months ended in disappointment as Darren Fletcher oversaw a third-round exit in what is set to be his final match in interim charge.

Brighton were eliminated by United in the six previous FA Cup ties between them, but they ended that hoodoo with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford courtesy of Brajan Gruda’s early effort and Welbeck’s eighth goal against his boyhood club.

Albion survived a late surge after Benjamin Sesko’s header, with teenage substitute Shea Lacey sent off for collecting two bookings as the Red Devils failed to reach the fourth round for the first time in 12 years.