Good evening and welcome along to our live coverage of this FA Cup quarter-final tie between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford.
It’s been a difficult week for Jose Mourinho and United but they can end it on a high note by joining Tottenham in the last four.
Kick-off is fast approaching at 7.45pm and we’ll bring you all the action as it happens.
TEAM NEWS: Jose Mourinho has made five changes for this evening’s quarter-final tie, with Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez and Marouane Fellaini named among the substitutes.
Man United XI: Romero; Valencia (c), Bailly, Smalling, Shaw; Matic, McTominay; Mata, Lingard, Martial; Lukaku.
TEAM NEWS: This is how Chris Hughton’s Brighton will line up at Old Trafford. The visitors have made five changes from the side which lost 2-0 to Everton last weekend.
Brighton XI: Brighton: Krul; Schelotto, Dunk (c), Duffy, Suttner; Beram Kayal, Propper, Gross; Locadia, Ulloa, March.
The Old Trafford ground staff have been busy all afternoon clearing the snow from the playing surface. We’re good to go now and the atmosphere is building inside the ground.
Not long to go until kick off now.
Here’s a check at today’s other scores if you missed any of the action.
FA Cup:
- Swansea 0-3 Tottenham
Premier League:
- Bournemouth 2-1 West Brom
- Huddersfield 0-2 Crystal Palace
- Stoke 1-2 Everton
- Liverpool 5-0 Watford
Manchester United and Brighton last met in the FA Cup back in January 1993, with United winning 1-0 thanks to a Ryan Giggs goal.
Which way do you see this one going?
Poll Results:
The teams have emerged from the tunnel and, right on cue, a snow blizzard hits Old Trafford. That’s going to make things interesting!
KICK OFF: We’re underway at a snowy Old Trafford.
United enjoying some early possession as they knock the ball around. Martial cuts infield and tries his luck from range, but his effort is deflected behind for a corner. Brighton deal comfortably with Mata’s set-piece.
Martial is looking dangerous down United’s left and with the conditions the way they are, the hosts have looked to test Tim Krul as often as they can in the opening exchanges. He did just enough to gather Mata’s cross on that occasion but it could be a tricky evening for the Brighton ‘keeper.
Not a lot happening at Old Trafford. United knocking the ball around and enjoying much of the possession but Brighton have looked to strike on the counter. Space opened up for Ezequiel Schelotto there but his long-range effort was tame.
Conditions are far from ideal.
Martial and Mata have whipped in a couple of inviting crosses but to no avail yet for United, with Mourinho becoming increasingly animated on the touchline. It’s all very slow and lethargic.
Some nice link up play from Brighton forces Bailly to divert a low cross behind for a corner. The visitors are finding plenty of space to work things in the final third and certainly look like a threat.
Martial has been heavily involved so far but Shane Duffy has been equal to the task and the Ireland defender was quick to get out and close the space down there. Half an hour gone at Old Trafford.
Close! Much better from United and the first real chance of the game. Martial and Mata play a couple of neat one-twos to create the space for the Spaniard, who sees his strike from close range deflected behind.
From the corner, the ball drops at the feet of Chris Smalling and he’s denied by a superb stop from Krul who managed to tip it onto the post.
Chance! Brighton nearly strike at the other end. Dunk roams in unmarked from a corner and forces Romero into a smart stop. The Brighton defender probably should have done better there.
Brighton are growing in stature as the minutes have gone on and are getting in behind United down the right far too easily now. 10 minutes until the break and we’re still scoreless.
GOAL! Man United 1-0 Brighton (Lukaku)
United find the breakthrough. Matic delivers a wonderful cross and Lukaku is on hand to head home past Krul.
There’s a sense of relief around Old Trafford. Matic’s ball in was beautifully flighted and Lukaku’s powerful header at the back post gave Krul no chance. That’s goal number 25 of the season for the Belgian forward.
5 - Romelu Lukaku has either scored or assisted in each of his last five appearances for Man Utd. Leading.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 17, 2018
v Chelsea ⚽️🅰️
v Crystal Palace ⚽️
v Liverpool 🅰️
v Sevilla ⚽️
v Brighton ⚽️
Half-time! Man United 1-0 Brighton
Not a lot to write home about from a pretty nondescript 45 minutes of football at Old Trafford, other than United lead thanks to Lukaku’s header eight minutes before the break.
KICK OFF! We’re back underway at Old Trafford. United had plenty of the ball in that first half but rarely threatened. Brighton still very much in this tie.
Chance! Brighton have started the half really brightly and Pascal Gross comes close with a low drive from the edge of the area.
Mourinho actually made a change at the break with Ashley Young replacing Luke Shaw.
Brighton, meanwhile, continue to press and are exerting a bit of pressure now with Jurgen Locadia testing Romero’s handling.
Great save! Brighton are really pushing for an equaliser and a poor defensive header from Bailly invites Locadia to strike one from distance with Romero making a superb save.
From the resulting corner, the ball eventually falls to Duffy on the right side of the box but he can’t get it out from under his feet to get enough purchase on it.
Chance! Brighton are getting closer. Solly March completely bamboozles Ashley Young, cuts back on his left foot and floats a delightful ball in towards Locadia, who had peeled away but can only head wide.
The visitors have made a change. Jose Izquierdo replaces Solly March, with Glenn Murray still waiting on the bench. It’s all Brighton at the moment.
Mourinho responds with his second change.
74' - Second change of the night for #MUFC, as @MarcusRashford comes on in place of @JuanMata8. #FACup
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 17, 2018
Last throw of the dice from Hughton. Murray — who has scored six goals in his last eight outings — is on for the final 15 minutes.
12 LOOOONNG minutes left at Old Trafford. Let’s hope it doesn’t go to extra time…
GOAL! Man United 2-0 Brighton (Matic)
United haven’t had a shot on goal in this second half until the 82nd minute, and they’re now 2-0 up. Young swings a free in and Matic is unmarked at the back post to head home.
89' - A final change for #MUFC - @JesseLingard is replaced by @Fellaini. #FACup
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 17, 2018
Into three minutes of added time at Old Trafford.
Full time! Man United 2-0 Brighton
An uninspiring victory but United get the job done to advance through to the FA Cup semi-finals. Lukaku’s first-half header set the hosts on their way before Matic sealed a place at Wembley with a late header of his own.
Thanks for joining us this evening. We’ll have coverage of the other quarter-final ties — Wigan v Southampton and Leicester v Chelsea — tomorrow afternoon, but until then, goodbye!
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
