MANCHESTER UNITED’S next boss has been warned he will have to pick up a “fragile“ squad after their season hit a new low.
The Old Trafford board are expected to decide in the next 48 hours if Michael Carrick or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take interim charge for the remainder of the season.
Caretaker manager Darren Fletcher looked on from the dug-out as Danny Welbeck inspired Brighton to a famous FA Cup win on his old stamping ground.
It means United have gone out at the first hurdle of BOTH domestic cups for the first time since 1981/82.
Fletcher said: “You could see the players are fragile but they’ve got to respond.
“Confidence is one of the most powerful things in football so when you don’t have it, you have to dig deep.
“It’s not in a great moment, let’s be honest, out of the cups early – but there is still a Champions League place to fight for.”
The former Scotland international says he has been asked to report to the club’s HQ on Monday morning – and expects to hear what the plan is.
Whoever gets the nod will not have long to prepare for Saturday’s Manchester derby – with a trip to leaders Arsenal eight days after that.
Fletcher said: “I have to report to Carrington on Monday morning that is all I know – so I will find out then. I have had zero indications.
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“All my focus has been on this. It is a massive responsibility to lead this club and I have given it my best and I am disappointed not to win a game.
“I think there are some good things there but ultimately it wasn’t enough. I am more disappointed than anyone.
“This is where we’re at – we can’t hide behind that. We’ve got to face that and we’ve got to deal with that and it’s not Manchester United level or what’s expected.
“We need to build the confidence, ground out some results, it might not be pretty at times.”
With no European football this season, United were expected to push hard in the two domestic cups.
But after crashing out of the Carabao Cup to League Two Grimsby in August, they slumped to defeat against Brighton here.
Brajan Gruda gave the Seagulls an early lead as a bright start by United fizzled out – and their former striker Welbeck made it two just after the hour.
United pulled one back through Benjamin Sesko but they could not force extra time and they had youngster Shea Lacey sent off for a second bookable offence.
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MANCHESTER UNITED were dumped out of the FA Cup third round for the first time since 2014 after a miserable 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
It marks the earliest United have exited both cup competitions since 1982 and confirms back-to-back trophyless seasons.
United started well but were caught napping when Brajan Gruda fired home a rebound after just 12 minutes.
Darren Fletcher’s side struggled to respond before Danny Welbeck returned to haunt his former club with a fantastic finish on 64 minutes.
Benjamin Sesko gave United late hope with a back-post header.
But the misery was compounded when debutant Shea Lacey, 18, was SENT OFF moments later.
Fletcher was booked himself for dissent to the ref post match and said: “Shea Lacey’s yellow card is ridiculous compared to the fouls that we had against us all game.
“The lad makes a mistake and is sent off. For me it is poor refereeing.”
Welbeck scored against United for an EIGHTH time since he left Old Trafford in 2014 – and seems to be playing better than ever at the age of 35.
He said: “I can’t give away my secret. If I say too much, drug testers will come for me! I’m good, I’m clean.
“I’ve got good genetics, good family. My mum and dad blessed me with good genes. A lot of hard work.
“I work hard every day, I look after myself. I eat well, prepare well for every single training session. I’m feeling good, feeling strong. To come here and win is massive and it’s something we are delighted with.”
Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler said: “I love competitions, I love cup games, it is always a do or die. It is really about going step by step.
“We always have the belief to compete with the best teams. You need to have this if you want to achieve something. We are a club with ambition.”
