Forget Dalot – Cunha’s the Bigger Problem as Brighton Bounce United from the Cup
Manchester United’s FA Cup campaign ended with a whimper and a chorus of groans as Brighton & Hove Albion nicked a fully deserved 2-1 at Old Trafford. Amorim has gone, a caretaker is being lined up, and the crowd’s ire fixed on Diogo Dalot – but let’s be honest, the bigger issue is Matheus Cunha. The £62.5m summer buy looked adrift, and if someone needs a breather, it’s him.
Brighton sharper, United sluggish
It took just 12 minutes for the visitors to slice United open, German spark plug Brajan Gruda reacting quickest in a six-yard melee to poke past Senne Lammens. After the interval, Danny Welbeck – once of this parish – twisted the knife on 64 minutes with a cool finish to double the advantage. Benjamin Sesko climbed highest to nod in late and give United a sniff with six to play, but any hope of a grandstand finish vanished when Shea Lacey saw red on 89 minutes.
Here’s a stark footnote: dumped at the third-round hurdle, United are on course to play just 40 matches in 2025/26 – the fewest since 1914/15. That’s not just disappointing; it’s damning.
Cunha the conundrum
Cunha arrived tailor-made for a 3-4-3 under Ruben Amorim, buzzing in those inside pockets. But with a return to a back-four blueprint, he’s looked like a square peg. Against Brighton he managed three efforts without testing the keeper, and only three of his 63 touches came inside the box. Half his dribbles (3/6) came off and he won 53% of his ground duels (9/17), but those are numbers without menace – tidy, not terrifying.
Zoom out and the picture’s similar: five goal contributions (four goals, one assist) in 20 outings across all competitions. For a headline signing, that’s thin gruel. He’d be far better as a second striker alongside Sesko, but that raises another selection headache with Amad and Bryan Mbeumo pushing to start.
Who earned any credit?
Kobbie Mainoo, back in from the cold after that Grimsby shocker, kept playing with courage and tempo. Sesko grafted, took his goal well and looked the likeliest route to salvation. Dalot had a rough night, sure, but if we’re handing out hard truths, Cunha’s the one who needs pulling from the firing line for his own good.
What the fans are saying
Old Trafford regulars didn’t hold back. The early-season belief that Cunha was a big upgrade on the wide options has evaporated. The gripes range from his role (is he a left winger, a 10, or a nine?) to his touch and decision-making. Strip away the colourful language and the message is the same: he’s off it, and has been for weeks.
Selection surgery for Fletcher
With Amorim out and the caretaker baton being passed around, Darren Fletcher is steering the ship for now and has to make a brave call. Bench Cunha, reset his rhythm, and build a front line with Sesko at the tip and one of Amad or Mbeumo flanking with purpose. Give Cunha minutes off the bench where the game’s stretched and confidence can be rebuilt. There’s a player in there – Wolves proved it – but he needs a rewire, not more of the same.
United can still salvage some pride this season, but it requires clarity, not compromise. For those keeping an eye on the wider football landscape and form trends around the league, our hub on best betting sites is worth a look – and make no mistake, the problems at Old Trafford run deeper than one bad night.
All statistics via WhoScored, correct as of 12/01/2026.
