Manchester United's journey to conquer the cup arenas this season closed in the second week of January in a way that few expected.
The defeat to Brighton caused the "Red Devils" for the first time since the 1981-1982 season to stop early in both the FA Cup and League Cup right from the first rounds.
Previously, Man United shocked when they were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Grimsby in a penalty shootout in August last year. If that fall could still be seen as an accident, then the defeat to Brighton exposed systemic problems, especially in the defense organization.
Brajan Gruda's opening goal - also his first goal for Brighton - came from a situation where Man United lost control of a ball that seemed to have been resolved.
Stepping into the second half, Danny Welbeck, Old Trafford's former player, coldly finished off his old team with an accurate shot.
Although Benjamin Sesko rekindled hope with a goal to narrow the gap in the 85th minute, Old Trafford only witnessed an attempt to rise up in despair.
The peak of disappointment appeared in injury time when young talent Shea Lacey received a second yellow card for reacting to referee Simon Hooper and left the field in tears. This is a symbolic image for an unstable season for M.U.
This defeat is also likely to close Darren Fletcher's short time as interim coach, after a series of unbeaten matches in the context of Ruben Amorim's recent sacking.
Man United is said to announce a new interim coach next week, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick emerging as notable candidates.
