FA Cup Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Manchester United’s 2025/26 Emirates FA Cup campaign begins on Sunday afternoon, as we host Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford.

Darren Fletcher is taking charge of the team once more, after the departure of head coach Ruben Amorim on Monday morning.

On the back of the Reds’ 2-2 draw at Burnley on Wednesday evening, United chase a first cup victory of the season as Old Trafford opens its doors for the first time in the calendar year.

United have lost just two of our last 40 ties in the FA Cup third round, with the last coming in a 2-1 defeat to Swansea City in 2013/14.

The Reds have met Brighton in six previous FA Cup ties, emerging victorious in all six, with no side having eliminated the Seagulls as many times.

Brighton have progressed from 14 of their last 16 FA Cup third round ties, advancing beyond this stage on each occasion since 2020.

Despite losing 4-2 at Old Trafford earlier this season, the Seagulls have won on three of their last four visits to the Theatre of Dreams.

TEAM NEWS

Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo returned to action at Burnley, with Harry Maguire an unused substitute.

The defender could feature against the Seagulls, although he is having his load managed. Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui remain on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Matthijs de Ligt has been sidelined since November with injury.

Solly March and Mats Wieffer will be unavailable for Brighton, while Hurzeler is expecting to make a late call on Yankuba Minteh’s availability.

The Seagulls will be expected to field a changed line-up from their 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Wednesday, as Charalampos Kostoulas and Joel Veltman should be available.