Manchester United Vs Brighton & Hove Albion Player Ratings: Dream Night for Brighton as Seagulls Clip United’s Wings in FA Cup

Old Trafford has seen its fair share of shock results, but this FA Cup afternoon will linger for all the wrong reasons for Manchester United. Brighton & Hove Albion arrived with a clear plan and executed it to perfection, earning a deserved 2-1 victory that exposed United’s lack of cohesion and cutting edge. This was not a smash-and-grab competition; it was a composed, intelligent performance from a side that knew exactly what it wanted to do.

Brighton set the tone early with sharp movement and confident passing, and the pressure told when Brajan Gruda struck in the 12th minute. It was a goal built on intent rather than luck. United tried to respond but struggled to impose themselves, repeatedly running into a disciplined Brighton backline and an inspired Jason Steele, who stood firm whenever called upon.

The decisive moment felt cruelly inevitable. Former Red Devil Danny Welbeck doubled Brighton’s lead, a goal that seemed to drain the energy from the stands. Although Benjamin Sesko’s late header sparked brief hope, it arrived far too late to change the outcome.

In the end, this was a night defined by Brighton’s tactical clarity and United’s growing frustrations. Here are the Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways:

• Brighton outthought and outplayed United, executing a clear tactical plan with discipline and confidence.

• United lacked cohesion and creativity, struggling to break down a well-organised Brighton side.

• Early and decisive goals proved crucial, with Brighton controlling the game despite late pressure.

Manchester United Player Ratings vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Here's a look at the Manchester United Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Senne Lammens - 5.5: A very tough day for the keeper. We noticed he was credited with an error leading to a shot, which says it all. He only made one save all game. He wasn't directly at fault for the goals but he didn't command his area with any confidence. From our perspective, he looked nervous and that spread through the defence. A day to forget.

Defenders

Diogo Dalot - 6.0: A mixed bag from Dalot. He got forward and had a couple of shots, but his final product was lacking. Losing the ball 15 times is just too much for a fullback at this level. What stood out to us was how easily Brighton bypassed him on the counter. He tried, but his overall contribution wasn't enough.

Lisandro Martínez - 7.0: Probably United's best defender on the day. That clearance off the line was a huge moment, and he was generally solid in his duels. He even tried to get the team going forward with his passing. His substitution felt like a strange one, but perhaps he was carrying a knock. A decent performance in a losing effort.

Patrick Dorgu - 7.0: A really solid outing from Dorgu, especially defensively. He won 100% of his tackles and created a big chance going forward. He was one of the few United players who seemed to win their individual battles. A definite bright spot on a gloomy day for the club. We were impressed with his composure.

Leny Yoro - 5.0: This was a difficult watch. The young defender looked out of his depth against Brighton's sharp attack. He was dribbled past twice and won only a fifth of his duels. We noticed he seemed to struggle with the movement of Welbeck. It was a baptism of fire, and one he'll need to learn from quickly.

Midfielders

Mason Mount - 6.0: Another player who just didn't impact the game. He was on the pitch for 62 minutes but was largely anonymous. We expected him to find pockets of space and create but he was very quiet. Subbed off without really leaving a mark on the proceedings. A disappointing showing.

Bruno Fernandes - 7.5: The conductor, even when the orchestra is out of tune. He created four chances and got the assist for the goal. However, losing possession 22 times is a statistic that tells its own story. He tries to make things happen, sometimes too hard. He was United's main creative force, but the risks didn't always pay off.

Matheus Cunha - 6.5: A chaotic performance. He was everywhere, but to what effect? He drew four fouls which is great, but he also lost the ball a staggering 22 times. From our perspective, he worked incredibly hard but his end product was frustratingly poor. So much energy, so little to show for it.

Manuel Ugarte - 6.5: Did his job quietly and effectively for the most part. His duel and tackle numbers are strong, showing he provided a solid screen for the defence. He doesn't offer much going forward, and the team needed more progression from midfield. A steady, if unspectacular, performance before being subbed.

Kobbie Mainoo - 6.5: Showed flashes of his quality, creating three chances in just over an hour. His passing was crisp and forward-thinking. However, the booking for a poor challenge and his early substitution suggest it wasn't all smooth sailing. A promising but ultimately frustrating afternoon for the youngster.

Forwards

Benjamin Sesko - 7.5: A genuine handful. He was a constant threat, taking five shots and finally getting his deserved goal with a good header. The four offsides show his eagerness to get in behind, but also a lack of discipline. He was the only United attacker who consistently looked like scoring. A strong individual performance.

Substitutes

Joshua Zirkzee - 6.0: Came on but struggled to get into the flow of the game.
Shea Lacey - 5.0: Got himself a yellow card and didn't offer much.
Casemiro - 6.0: Brought some experience but couldn't change the tide.
Harry Maguire - 6.0: Replaced Martinez but the damage was already done.

Manager

Erik ten Hag - 5.0: The team looked tactically naive. They were repeatedly exposed on the counter-attack and lacked a clear plan in possession. The substitutions didn't change the game's momentum. A very poor day at the office for the manager, who was out-thought by his opposite number.

Brighton & Hove Albion Player Ratings vs Manchester United

Here's a look at the Brighton & Hove Albion Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Jason Steele - 8.0: What a performance. He made six saves, five of which were from inside the box, and commanded his area brilliantly. He was a calming presence behind his defence. From our perspective, he single-handedly kept Brighton's lead intact during periods of United pressure. A top-class display.

Defenders

Olivier Boscagli - 6.5: A solid if unremarkable performance. He didn't stand out, but he didn't make any glaring errors either. His passing was tidy and he held his position well. He played his part in a well-organized defensive unit. Did what was asked of him.

Ferdi Kadıoğlu - 7.0: Very impressive at the back. His 97% pass accuracy is outstanding for a defender under pressure. He was strong in the tackle and read the game well, making some important clearances and interceptions. A very composed and professional performance.

Joël Veltman - 7.0: Experienced and reliable. Veltman made six clearances and was a rock at the back until he was substituted. He knows exactly where to be and when. He might not be the quickest, but his football brain is top-tier. A crucial part of the victory.

Diego Coppola - 6.5: Another defender who put his body on the line. Six clearances tell a story of a player willing to do the dirty work. He was strong in the air and played his part in frustrating United's forwards. A disciplined performance from the centre-back.

Midfielders

Brajan Gruda - 8.5: The undisputed Man of the Match. This was a masterclass. A goal, an assist, five key passes – he was absolutely electric. Every time he got the ball, you felt something was going to happen. His direct running and creativity were too much for United to handle. The highest-rated player on the pitch for a reason.

Georginio Rutter - 5.0: A really, really poor day for him. Being dispossessed five times and having such a low duel win rate paints a picture of a player who was completely off the pace. He struggled to get involved and was a passenger for large parts of the game. Easily the worst performer on the pitch.

Jack Hinshelwood - 6.0: He worked hard and recovered the ball well, but he was also wasteful in possession. Losing the ball 15 times is far from ideal. It wasn't his tidiest game, but his work rate can't be faulted. A mixed performance overall.

Diego Gómez - 5.5: He struggled to impose himself on the game before his unfortunate injury. He lost most of his duels and his passing was wayward. It's a shame his afternoon was cut short, but he wasn't having a great time of it before he went off. We hope the injury isn't serious.

Pascal Groß - 7.0: The engine room. His five tackles show his commitment to the defensive side of the game. He kept play ticking over and broke up United's attacks effectively. He's the glue that holds this Brighton midfield together. A typically tenacious and intelligent performance.

Forwards

Danny Welbeck - 7.5: He came back to haunt his old club. He took his goal with the composure of a seasoned striker. His movement and hold-up play were a constant problem for the United backline. He was a menace until he was subbed off, a great captain's performance.

Substitutes

Jan Paul van Hecke - 6.5: Slotted in seamlessly for the injured Gomez.
Yasin Ayari - N/A
Kaoru Mitoma - N/A
Charalampos Kostoulas - N/A

Manager

F. Hürzeler - 8.0: A tactical triumph. His game plan worked to perfection. Brighton were organized, disciplined, and clinical. They knew exactly how to exploit United's weaknesses on the counter. He completely out-managed his counterpart and deserves huge credit for this famous win.

Man of the Match

Brajan Gruda has been adjudged as Sportsdunia's man of the match.

Worst Performer

The worst performer in the Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion game was Adam Davies of Mansfield Town.