Manchester United – Brighton: kick off a campaign amid transition 
Old Trafford kicks off its FA Cup on Sunday with a tie that isn’t a warm-up. United, mid-change on the bench, host Brighton in a third round that’s already a trap — juggling an interim boss and the aim of getting back to Wembley.
Manchester United: a new era to write, the FA Cup as the running theme 
The Red Devils slid into the post-Ruben Amorim era without a proper reset. Darren Fletcher took the bench as interim and produced a first game that’s typical of recent United: electric up front, shaky at the back.
At Burnley, Benjamin Šeško finally opened his account with a Premier League brace, but a defensive mistake and an opponent’s moment of brilliance spoiled the party, leaving United with a third straight draw in the league.
Despite the unstable climate, the FA Cup is still ground where United know how to show up. The club hasn’t been knocked out at the third round in over ten years and has a clear target: go all the way and catch Arsenal at the top of the winners’ list, with a 14th crown.
Aside from the prestige, it can provide a direct route back into Europe next season, while the club tries to lay the foundations of a new project.
Momentum at Old Trafford remains a major asset. Not irresistible, but United know how to get the job done at home, and this knockout comes at the right time to kickstart a season that’s still too inconsistent.
Brighton: unsettle a giant to take the next step 
Brighton come in with a declared ambition: not just to play well anymore, but to finally grab something tangible. Their rise over recent years has planted them on the European map, and the FA Cup looks like a logical next move.
The Seagulls have made a habit of navigating the early rounds well, getting through the third round and regularly reaching quarter-finals or semis.
The draw at Man City this week showed Brighton can still trouble the big teams, even away. But the bigger picture tells another story: few wins in recent weeks, trouble stringing results together, and away trips often awkward.
The 4-2 loss at Old Trafford earlier this season still sits in the back of the mind, as do the many FA Cup exits they’ve suffered at United’s hands.
Still, Brighton arrive with a clear plan: exploit United’s delicate situation, impose their game and try to derail a side still being rebuilt.
Likely line-ups
Manchester United :
Bayindir (GK) ; Dalot, Maguire, Yoro, Shaw ; Mainoo, Ugarte ; Cunha, Fernandes (C), Dorgu ; Šeško
Brighton & Hove Albion :
Steele (GK) ; Veltman, Dunk (C), Boscagli, De Cuyper ; Milner, Groß ; Mitoma, Gomez, Watson ; Welbeck
Key things to remember
- Manchester United are on three straight draws in the Premier League.
- The Red Devils haven’t been eliminated in the third round of the FA Cup since 2013-14.
- A win would see United equal Arsenal’s record of 14 FA Cups.
- Brighton have made it past the third round in their last five entries.
- The Seagulls struggle away, with only one win on the road since early autumn.
Football Tip Manchester United vs Brighton
Manchester United to progress
This tie is far from one-sided, and Brighton have already shown they can upset the big guns. But with the symbolic weight of this FA Cup, United’s relative solidity at home and their experience in these fixtures, Manchester United hold a small edge.
In a match that could be decided by a detail, even penalties, the Mancunians look slightly better equipped to go through.
First, a word on our predictions
- What we publish on Mathodds are analyses, nothing more. We share an opinion, a read of the moment, never a guarantee. Sport is what it is: unpredictable. A red card, an injury, a goal from nowhere… and the whole script changes.
- Let’s be clear: there’s no risk-free bet. Even when it looks “obvious”, nothing really is. And yes, that means you can lose. It’s inevitable at some point.
- Best is to be sensible. Bet small, set a budget and stick to it. Don’t touch money you need to live on. And above all: don’t chase losses — it rarely ends well.
- Betting should stay a game, not a job or income source. If it takes over your life, annoys you or stresses you out, take a break. If needed, talk to a specialist organization. That’s what they’re for.
- Ultimately, responsibility is yours. Reading our content means accepting risk exists and it won’t vanish, even with the best analysis.
- Important reminder: betting is prohibited for minors and must comply with your country’s laws. Gambling can spiral (losses, family tensions, addiction). Need Help? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In the UK? Visit https://www.gambleaware.org/https://www.gambleaware.org/.
No commitment from us
Our predictions aren’t a contract. They carry no legal weight. Plainly: you can’t rely on them to claim anything if a bet fails.
Information that changes
A prediction is always based on what we know when we write it. But in the meantime, a lineup changes, a player gets injured, the weather turns… and the analysis quickly becomes outdated. We can’t be held responsible for that.
Your role
Before betting, simply check that gambling is legal where you are. If it’s not, that’s on you, not us.
Responsible gambling above all
We’ll say it again: gamble in moderation. If you struggle to keep control, don’t wait to seek help. We can’t be responsible for compulsive or excessive use of the site’s info.
Legal age
Mathodds content is for adults only. By browsing here you confirm you’re of legal gambling age.
About the visuals
The images and logos on Mathodds, including those of Manchester United and Brighton related to the FA Cup, are only here to illustrate our articles. They don’t mean we have an official link with any federation or sports organization, and we claim no rights over them.
These rights belong to the original creators. If, despite our vigilance, a visual causes an issue, contact us: it will be removed without delay.
Our only aim with these images is to make reading more pleasant. Nothing more. No commercial gain, no claiming someone else’s work.
Leave a Reply