JAKARTA - Without a manager, without the chance to win trophies, and without real hope. That's the situation Manchester United now has to face.
The Red Devils have had a difficult time in 13 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. With their elimination in the Third Round of the FA Cup (FA Cup) with a 1-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday, January 11, 2026, they reached a new low.
There have been so many bad seasons since Ferguson left in 2013 that it's hard to pick one in particular. The 2025/26 season will be among them after Brighton ensured any chance of silverware for Manchester United had evaporated in early January.
Plus the defeat in the Carabao Cup (Carabao Cup) from League Two team Grimsby Town in August 2025 and the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, this has been a truly disastrous season.
The only thing left to fight for over the next four-and-a-half months is a place at the European tournament.
As a result, the situation made Manchester United fall to touch the worst record in the club's history. Since the 1981/1982 season, Manchester United has never been eliminated so quickly in both domestic cups.
Then in the number of matches per season, they played 60 matches last season. That number has dropped drastically this season.
This season - after playing just one game in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup - they will play only 40 matches. Since the 1914/1915 season, they have never played so few matches in a full season.
"That's our position now. We can't hide it. We have to face it and overcome it."
"This is not the level of Manchester United or what is expected. We have to move forward by qualifying for the Champions League. The Champions League is important for many reasons."
"It's important for the players and to attract players. I keep saying the players have to improve, they have to unite and they will do it."
"You have to fight hard to win games. From there you can build confidence and momentum," interim manager Darren Fletcher said, who looked hurt and emotional after the defeat against Brighton, reported ESPN.
Manchester United's board will make a decision this week on who will act as interim manager until the end of the season.
The reason is that Fletcher's position is only an emergency appointment. So far, there have been talks with a number of candidates, such as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
However, whoever takes over will be leading a club that seems to lack a clear direction. Amorim was sacked without a backup plan. Fletcher also had to be recruited from the U-18 team.
Too many players who don't meet the standard and too many gaps in the squad that need to be improved.
The situation could get even tougher with Manchester City visiting Old Trafford next weekend. After that, there's a trip to Premier League leaders Arsenal seven days later.
Shea Lacey, who at least provided some slick moments in the 2-2 draw against Burnley on Thursday, January 8, 2026, will not be available against Manchester City after receiving a red card against Brighton.
The 18-year-old received a yellow card - his second in two minutes after coming on as a substitute in the second half - for protesting after kicking the ball to the ground as time was running out.
Frustration in the stands had been building up long before that. When the final whistle blew, boos could be heard from all four sides of the stadium.
For others, the response is closer to apathy as they walk out in the Manchester rain. They've seen plenty of results like this. Too many to count, even in the last 18 months.
However, this is only the third time in the last 42 years that Manchester United have been knocked out of the FA Cup in the Third Round.
"We are very disappointed because this is the FA Cup. There is still a lot at stake this season. These players have the ability to qualify for the Champions League. That should be their mindset."
"The players have to come together, find a way to improve quickly and not waste this season," said Fletcher.
Fletcher, a midfielder here under Ferguson, knows the responsibilities that come with playing for Manchester United. He demands that the squad find motivation.
Whoever is in charge of guiding the Red Devils for the match against Manchester City, there is a danger lurking that this season will get worse.
Fletcher also found it hard to avoid the feeling that the whole club was stuck in a stagnant pattern, flying aimlessly.
Maybe only in the summer - when the new manager is still announced and further investments are made in the squad - will hope return.
Until then, this season will continue to the end with 17 more matches, while traditional rivals Arsenal and Manchester City fight for the trophy.
For Manchester United, 2025/2026 will probably be remembered only for having more managers (three managers) than domestic cup matches (two tournaments).
In the era of the lowest point, somehow they actually walked to another lowest point. At times like this, the fans usually entertain themselves with the belief that the team can really get a ticket to the European tournament next season. However, at Old Trafford, you can never be sure.
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