Manchester United ends the 1-2 FA Cup season without any trophies! Fletcher’s chance to become permanent is gone, and Champions League qualification is the only hope.

Manchester United suffered a 1-2 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford, resulting in a third-round FA Cup exit and prematurely ending all hopes of silverware this season, setting the fastest “four trophies missed” record since 1970/71. Former Red Devil Danny Welbeck netted the winning goal for Brighton, his eighth goal against his former team, a harsh irony for United.

Interim coach Darren Fletcher made some squad rotations, resting Eden Havn, Luke Shaw, and Casemiro, while Rani Yaro, Coby Meno, and Mason Mount started. Patrick Dogu returned to his role as wing-back. Fletcher’s twin sons, Jack and Tyler, were both on the bench.

United had a chance to take the lead early, but right-back Diogo Dalot’s shot straight at the goalkeeper was easily saved, missing a golden opportunity. Later, Bruno Fernandes’ threatening indirect free kick was also denied by the keeper.

In the 12th minute, Brighton scored amid a scramble. Welbeck’s cross from the left wing created danger, Lisandro Martinez cleared a header from Georginio Rutter off the line, but unfortunately, Brajan Gruda’s follow-up shot found the net, putting United 0-1 behind.

The Red Devils nearly fell two goals behind when goalkeeper Sena Rams made a passing error inside the box. Welbeck intercepted and shot, but was blocked; Rutter’s attempted rebound was offside and went over the bar.

Most United players were not wearing shooting boots; attempts from Shesko, Lima, and Cunha either missed the target or were blocked. United went into the break 0-1 down, with Sir Alex Ferguson and his former protégé Scholes and Nicky Butt watching anxiously from the stands.

The second half saw similar patterns. Fletcher brought on Zirkzee and young Sheya Lacey, but Brighton sealed the win. Recently, Gruda’s diagonal pass found Welbeck, who decisively struck a powerful left-footed shot into the corner, making it 0-2. This was Welbeck’s second time directly ending United’s title hopes in a season; in 2015, he scored for Arsenal to knock United out of the FA Cup.

In the 85th minute, United finally pulled one back. Bruno Fernandes delivered a left-side corner, Shesko headed from the far post, and a goalkeeper error allowed the ball to slip into the near corner, giving United a 1-2 scoreline and hope to equalize. This €85 million striker scored in two consecutive games, netting three goals, possibly the only bright spot for United under Fletcher’s tenure.

Unfortunately, in the 90th minute, Lacey, frustrated by a throw-in decision, angrily kicked the ball and received a second yellow card, resulting in a red and sending him off. He was nearly in tears. With one player less, United couldn’t turn things around and lost 1-2 at home. Brighton achieved their fourth consecutive season victory at the Theatre of Dreams.

Losing in the third round of the FA Cup means United will only play 40 matches this season, marking the lowest total in 111 years since 1914/15. Moreover, United failed to progress beyond the first round in both cup competitions for the first time since 1981/82. Whoever takes over as interim coach next will face the same challenges.

Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox quietly left the stands before the match ended. Fortunately for them, most spectators in the directors’ box had already left earlier.

During the game, Fletcher displayed the signature helpless shrug seen from every United manager after Sir Alex Ferguson’s era—always the same! There were rumors before the match that if he could lead the team past the FA Cup round, he might be appointed permanent interim coach to finish the season. But after two winless games, his chances as the “savior” seem completely gone. The Manchester Evening News claims the likelihood of Fletcher continuing is zero.

The Scot revealed he will return to Carrington on Monday to report back, and United may announce a new head coach early next week, with a home derby against Manchester City coming up on Saturday. “I’ll be back at Carrington tomorrow morning to report—that’s all I can say,” Fletcher stated. “So, tomorrow morning I’ll learn everything I need to know. I have no clues because my focus was on preparing the team for these two matches. Managing Manchester United is a heavy responsibility. I’ve done my best, but in the end, I didn’t win or get the desired results, which is disappointing.”

Regarding the match itself, Fletcher commented, “I think there were some decent moments, creating many chances and taking several shots. However, it wasn’t enough. I’m more disappointed than anyone because I truly care about the club, want United to succeed, and hope the players perform well. My playing days are over, those great times are cherished memories, and I was lucky to enjoy every minute. Now it’s all about the current players, but we must support them, and they must work hard to save themselves.”

United now only have the Premier League left to compete in, and fighting for a Champions League spot is the only way to salvage the season. However, judging by the FA Cup exit, United might be more likely to enter the Europa League. The team currently sits 7th in the league table, but that position owes more to rivals’ struggles than their own strong performances.

Fletcher’s main dilemma now is whether he will stay with the first team or return to coach the under-18 squad. The first team players have two scheduled rest days before preparations for the derby against Manchester City begin on Wednesday, by which time a new coach should be in place.

Whether Solskjaer or Carrick serves as interim coach, they only managed 17 matches each. If the remaining two January games against Manchester City and Arsenal go poorly, United could slip into the lower half of the table.

“Don’t waste this season,” Fletcher said before stepping down. “That’s my request. Honestly, this is not a good moment. We’re out too early, but true character shows in tough times. We still have a chance to qualify for the Champions League, and I still believe that goal is achievable this season. This might not be what fans want to hear about United because we should be winning trophies and competing for top spots in the Premier League. But perhaps this is our realistic target this season. All players should focus fully on improving the team and making progress quickly. Anything else is just meaningless noise.”