Manchester United were dumped out of the FA Cup by Brighton and caretaker boss Darren Fletcher admits his struggling players are lacking confidence and need a pick me up
Darren Fletcher slammed his Manchester United flops for being soft after watching them crash out of the FA Cup to Brighton. Fletcher’s short spell as interim boss finished with a whimper as United went down 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Goals from Brajan Gruda and Danny Welbeck were enough to send Brighton into the fourth round, despite a late strike from Benjamin Sesko. And United’s misery was complete when substitute Shea Lacey was sent off for his second bookable offence in the closing stages.
United were booed off and Fletcher accused his side of being fragile. He said: “We started OK, but didn’t keep the tempo. Our passing was quite slow. We didn’t move the ball with tempo. We created chances, but going two nil down was difficult.
“The players are fragile. They need to build themselves up and respond. Confidence is one of the most powerful things in football, but when you don’t have it, you have to dig deep.
“They have to come together. It’s only the players that can do something about it. They have to find a way to win. It’s about hard work, attitude and application.”
READ MORE: Man Utd set unwanted 44-year record as Brighton loss adds to earlier embarrassmentREAD MORE: Darren Fletcher sees Man Utd hit new low as Danny Welbeck ends FA Cup hopes – 5 talking points
Fletcher, who will now be replaced by another interim boss until the end of the season, reckons home fans were right to jeer United. He added: “Someone will come in and lead them. This side is still good enough to achieve something this season. I’ve not had any discussions beyond this game. Things will unfold in the coming days.
“The fans have every right to air their grievances. They are right to do that. I’m sure if the players show the right reaction the fans will get behind them again. There is still a to play for in the league this season.”
Match winner Welbeck said: “It’s massive. To come here in the FA Cup – whether it’s FA Cup or Premier League, it’s always a massive occasion – it’s one that we’re delighted with, to get into the next round.”
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