Is it time for the Devils to finally beat someone?

Manchester United begin their latest FA Cup campaign on Sunday, hosting Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford in the third round as the club continues to navigate life without a permanent manager.

The Red Devils marked the start of the post–Ruben Amorim chapter with an entertaining 2-2 Premier League draw away at Burnley, a game overseen by caretaker boss Darren Fletcher. While United’s hierarchy weighs up familiar names such as Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Fletcher’s brief stint on the touchline at Turf Moor delivered early intrigue.

Benjamin Sesko announced himself with a first-ever Premier League brace, but defensive lapses — including an Ayden Heaven own goal and a superb Jaidon Anthony strike — ensured United were forced to settle for another share of the spoils.

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Brighton arrive in Manchester with momentum of their own, having just frustrated champions Manchester City in a 1-1 draw that slowed Pep Guardiola’s title charge. United, meanwhile, remain stuck in a cycle of stalemates, entering the weekend on the back of three consecutive league draws. Unlike in the Premier League, however, there is no room for compromise in the FA Cup this time, with replays scrapped and progression to be decided on the day.

Despite their well-documented struggles since the Sir Alex Ferguson era ended, United rarely falter at this stage of the competition, avoiding a third-round exit since 2013-14. Brighton also boast an impressive recent record in early FA Cup ties, advancing from 14 of their last 16 third-round matches.

The Seagulls’ history includes a run to the 1983 final — where they were beaten by United after a replay — and more recently deep cup journeys that ended in penalty heartbreak at the semi-final stage in 2022-23 and the quarter-finals last season.

United were boosted in midweek by the returns of Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, with the latter widely tipped to thrive now that Amorim’s tenure has come to an end. Harry Maguire was named among the substitutes at Burnley after injury, leaving Matthijs de Ligt as the hosts’ only confirmed absentee. However, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui remain unavailable due to their involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations.

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For Brighton, Fabian Hurzeler expects both Joel Veltman and Charalampos Kostoulas to be fit after missing the City draw with minor knocks, although Yankuba Minteh remains a doubt. Long-term absentees Mats Wieffer, Solly March, Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas are still sidelined, while reported United target Carlos Baleba is away on AFCON duty with Cameroon.

FA CUP - ROUND 3

Sunday

15.00: (5.10) Derby (3.60) Leeds (1.73)

17.00: (12.0) Portsmouth (6.50) Arsenal (1.22)

17.30: (2.20) Hull (3.45) Blackburn (3.25)

17.30: (1.62) Norwich (3.80) Walsall (5.80)

17.30: (1.42) Sheffield Utd (4.60) Mansfield (7.50)

17.30: (2.55) Swansea (3.20) WBA (2.85)

17.30: (1.58) West Ham (4.00) QPR (5.90)

19.30: (1.88) Man.Utd. (3.60) Brighton (4.10)

***odds are subject to change***