WEMBLEY STADIUM, LONDON — Manchester United beat Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties to put themselves a game away from winning a domestic double by setting up an FA Cup final against Manchester City in the most dramatic of fashion following a goalless draw after extra time.
Brighton's Solly March was the only player to miss in a 13-penalty shootout, sending his effort high over the crossbar and into the Albion fans behind the goal to afford Man United's Victor Lindelof an opportunity that he took to lift United to the final.
The Seagulls dominated possession, but the share of chances between the teams was even. Marcus Rashford almost put United ahead in the first period of extra time when his curling shot was brilliantly tipped behind by Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Sanchez's counterpart and Spanish compatriot David de Gea, who endured criticism following his disastrous performance in United's 3-0 humbling at Sevilla to exit the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, also rescued United several times, thwarting Alexis Mac Allister's goal-bound free-kick during the opening minutes of a thrillingly tense semifinal.
Sanchez parried United captain Bruno Fernandes' angled drive to safety shortly afterwards as part of an end-to-end, occasionally ragged showdown characterised by spurned chances on both sides.
Julio Enciso, who started after scoring a sublime long-range strike to seal a 2-1 win for Brighton at Chelsea in their last Premier League match, saw his strike pawed over the target by De Gea after the break, and former United striker Danny Welbeck failed to hit the target with a free header from close range shortly before being replaced through injury.
After the sides could not be separated over 120 minutes, rain greeted the sight of the shootout in which both teams showed admirable composure before March, who looked emotional afterwards, swung his effort off target to put United within sight of adding to the Carabao Cup trophy they lifted in February.
United will face their city rivals, who outclassed Sheffield United 3-0 in the first semifinal on Saturday, in the showpiece on June 3.
:popcorn: 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟯
— Sporting News Football Club (@sn_footballclub) April 23, 2023
:large_blue_circle: Manchester City vs. Manchester United :red_circle:
:exploding_head: A Manchester derby in the #FACup final! pic.twitter.com/l0XSFxUQeI
Brighton vs Man United final score
| 1H | 2H | 1H Extra Time | 2H Extra Time | Final (penalties) | |
| Brighton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (6) |
| Man United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (7) |
Goals:
None
Lineups:
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Sanchez (GK) — Gross, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan – Caicedo, Mac Allister – March, Enciso (Veltman 67'), Mitoma – Welbeck (Undav 75')
Man United (4-2-3-1): De Gea (GK) — Wan-Bissaka (Malacia 101'), Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot – Casemiro, Eriksen (Fred 62') – Antony (Sabitzer 91'), Fernandes (Weghorst 101'), Rashford – Martial (Sancho 85')
United can dream after nightmare in Sevilla
In the aftermath of their chastening defeat at Sevilla on Thursday, manager Erik ten Hag told United’s players to show more character and passion, imploring them to lift themselves for this semifinal.
United responded to their manager’s words and now have a second final of the season to look forward to — a welcome predicament for fans who went four seasons without reaching a domestic final before the demanding Dutchman arrived from Ajax.
Despite the frailties they showed in crashing out of Europe, United have an abundance of talent within their ranks and, while there was an inevitability to Brighton bossing play because of their style under manager Roberto De Zerbi, Ten Hag’s side were a persistent threat, with Bruno Fernandes often at his inspirational best and Antony a nuisance on the wings.
This felt like redemption for United, and Ten Hag will take immense satisfaction from the spirit his players showed to recover in such style after a performance so bad in Spain that it seemed potentially season-defining, not least for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, whose man-marking mastery was evident against the reliably dangerous Kaoru Mitoma.
The priority for United remains qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, which they have put themselves in a strong position to do via their league position, sitting six points above fifth-placed Tottenham with two games in hand after Spurs' 6-1 mauling at Newcastle on Sunday.
The prospect of winning a Manchester derby for the second time in less than five months to lift the FA Cup — claiming a trophy again at Wembley — is a mark of Ten Hag’s early success in the role. United are back in contention.
There was huge controversy when United beat City 2-1 at Old Trafford in January, scoring two late goals in a comeback win, including an equaliser from Fernandes that many pundits felt was clearly offside.
The debate overshadowed the fact that United had put down another marker in their rejuvenation. Repeating the result when the teams meet again would be Ten Hag’s finest achievement yet.
Brighton suffer Wembley heartbreak
It was a measure of the excellent season Brighton are having that they began this game as clear favourites with bookmakers, arriving eight days after De Zerbi’s gifted group had the most ever shots recorded by an away team at Chelsea in a victory to boost their European qualification ambitions.
Their performance in their second semifinal in four years was a reflection of how far they have progressed.
In 2019, Brighton reached the FA Cup final four, but surrendered meekly to Manchester City under the successful but conservative guidance of Chris Hughton, falling behind to an early Gabriel Jesus goal that proved decisive after never looking likely to reply.
There was no chance of that kind of anticlimax this time. With De Zerbi driving his side on in typically animated fashion from the sideline, Albion were only short of a ruthless cutting edge, and they will be left to rue the absence of prolific teenage striker Evan Ferguson through injury, the prospect having led their line superbly during his breakthrough season.
March was understandably disconsolate as Brighton's supporters sung his name at the end. De Zerbi seems to take defeats heavily, often apologising to supporters even when Brighton draw difficult away games. The task for the charismatic Italian and his players now will be to avoid letting this setback affect what is a tough final nine games of the season for them.
Brighton have fifth place in their hands, but know Liverpool are finding form. They are also competing for a coveted European spot with rivals in Aston Villa who have been transformed under their new manager Unai Emery.
United visit the Amex Stadium on May 4, and there are also trips to Arsenal and Newcastle United to navigate, as well as a home game against Manchester City and a date at Villa Park to finish the season.
Some supporters will see this semifinal defeat as a missed opportunity. Failing to seal at least a Europa Conference League place would be scant reward for the team responsible for one of the stories of the season in the Premier League.
MORE: Watch every Premier League match live with fuboTV in Canada
Brighton vs Man United updates, highlights from FA Cup semifinal
Penalty shootout: Brighton 6-7 Man United – United reach the FA Cup final!
No mistake from Lindelof! United will play Manchester City in the final!
Penalty shootout: Brighton 6-6 Man United
Solly March sends his penalty high over the crossbar! That's not the first one he's missed in a shootout this season: he also bluffed against Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup.
Penalty shootout: Brighton 6-6 Man United (Wout Weghorst)
Low and to Robert Sanchez's left. Twelve out of twelve!
Penalty shootout: Brighton 6-5 Man United (Adam Webster)
Adam Webster's up next... and he slots in to David de Gea's left! Crikey. Obscene tension.
Penalty shootout: Brighton 5-5 Man United (Marcel Sabitzer)
Robert Sanchez guesses the right way. It's not enough. In!
Penalty shootout: Brighton 5-4 Man United (Lewis Dunk)
The skipper roles a low penalty to David de Gea's left and in! Dunk gees up the Brighton fans and has a word with his goalkeeper.
Penalty shootout: Brighton 4-4 Man United (Marcus Rashford)
Marcus Rashford steps up. Robert Sanchez guesses the right way, to his left, but can't stop it!
Penalty shootout: Brighton 4-3 Man United (Pervis Estupinan)
Low and to David de Gea's left. Nerves of steel from these players!
Penalty shootout: Brighton 3-3 Man United (Jadon Sancho)
Great penalty! Sancho fires into the roof of the net to Robert Sanchez's right. Very few goalkeepers would have saved that!
Penalty shootout: Brighton 3-2 Man United (Deniz Undav)
Different direction, for once! It's a shot run-up from Undav, who slots under David de Gea. Five out of five!
Penalty shootout: Brighton 2-2 Man United (Diogo Dalot)
And again! Diogo Dalot stands statuesque. He's levelled it!
Penalty shootout: Brighton 2-1 Man United (Pascal Gross)
Same direction. Higher! David de Gea can't stop it. Perfect penalty shootout so far. What tension. These are taking place in front of the Brighton fans.
Penalty shootout: Brighton 1-1 Man United (Casemiro)
Same direction of shooter and goalkeeper, this time lower. In!
Penalty shootout: Brighton 1-0 Man United (Alexis Mac Allister)
Mac Allister fires the ball to David de Gea's left. The goalkeeper dives in the other direction. Goal!
Final: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Luke Shaw lofts the free-kick into Robert Sanchez's arms. We go to penalties!
😬 Manchester United's last 8 penalty shootouts:
— Sporting News Football Club (@sn_footballclub) April 23, 2023
❌ 8-9 Middlesbrough
❌ 11-12 Villarreal
✅ 6-5 Rochdale
❌ 9-10 Derby County
❌ 1-3 Middlesbrough
❌ 1-2 Sunderland
❌ 3-6 Chelsea
❌ 2-4 Everton
👀 We're headed to a penalty shootout at Wembley. pic.twitter.com/VOIzPVBoe1
120 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
There will be one minute of added time. Kaoru Mitoma fouls Jadon Sancho inside the centre circle. United load the box, Luke Shaw over the freekick.
118 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
No tiredness from Solly March: the wideman spins beautifully to beat first Tyrell Malacia, then Fred.
He enters the penalty area and sees a cross-shot deflected against the side netting. United clear the corner and Brighton play the ball back to Robert Sanchez. Pascal Gross can't stop Sanchez's pass from going out of play deep insude United territory. That may be that.
117 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Casemiro sends in a low shot from distance. Robert Sanchez gathers, then catches a looping, aimless delivery into the box from United's ensuing attack.
115 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Wout Weghorst chases what looks like a lost cause down the left and wins a freekick in a tussle with Joel Veltman.
Hugely entertainingly, Weghorst then punches the air to gee up the United fans next to him. That's the kind of passion you need when energy is dwindling.
United send the opportunity to cross straight behind.
112 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Chaos inside the United penalty area. Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma both dance their way through the defence, then Mitoma goes flying in on David de Gea in search of a ball that's beyond him.
Brighton have the ball in the net but there was at least one foul in that sequence. De Gea is in pain but returns to his feet.
111 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Whoosh! Marcus Rashford looks up just outside the penalty to the left of centre, having cut inside with Joel Veltman in attendance, and fires a venomous effort well wide.
The power on that shot made it look more dangerous than it was.
110 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Marcus Rashford engages in a footrace onto a ball over the top through the centre, taking on Joel Veltman - who you'd imagine is decidedly slower - and tumbling.
The United top scorer can't believe he hasn't won a freekick. His fans boo loudly.
109 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
You probably wouldn't expect it at this point in the game, but Brighton look unusually ragged at times at the back.
Luke Shaw sends a clearance out of play in a promising position for Albion, but they don't do anything with it.
107 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Solly March plays with the ball on the edge of United's penalty area. "Hit it!" comes the cry from the fans in blue and white behind the target.
March does, and David de Gea claims.
106 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
United apply the pressure early in the second half of extra time, attacking down the left. There's some consternation in the red end as Brighton win a goal kick.
Halftime (Extra Time): Brighton 0-0 Man United
That save from Robert Sanchez was the moment of that half. Brighton will be breathing a sigh of relief at the interval.
A stat from my esteemed social media colleagues for you: Robert Sanchez has saved five out of 27 penalties, while David de Gea has stopped 13 of 72.
If you enjoy that kind of insight - and who doesn't? - don't forget to follow our dedicated football channels on Twitter and Instagram. They're as essential as the penalty spot or a pair of goalkeeping gloves.
104 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Robert Sanchez rescues Brighton with a brilliant save! The goalkeeper launches himself to his right to tip Marcus Rashford's viciously curling shot from outside the penalty area on the left behind.
Some stop!
103 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Lewis Dunk is down on the turf and being checked by referee Craig Pawson.
102 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Casemiro tries in vain to stop Brighton from breaking. Kaoru Mitoma canters inside the penalty area on the left and runs the ball out of play.
100 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
The incoming players for United are Tyrell Malacia and Wout Weghorst.
Fred races into plenty of space and flashes a dangerous cross along the six yard box. He's clearly dismayed that no-one was there to meet it.
99 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
No sooner has James Maddison delivered this verdict on Aaron Wan-Bissaka than the United defender is substituted, as is Bruno Fernandes.
AWB is ridiculously good at 1 v 1 defending. Probably the best in the world bar none. So many wingers run out of ideas when playing directly against him.
— James Maddison (@Madders10) April 23, 2023
98 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Jadon Sancho has a sight of goal inside the penalty area on the left but twists back in an apparent lack of conviction.
An offside flag is up.
97 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Marcel Sabitzer gets in front of Lewis Dunk inside the penalty area and angles a header wide after Jadon Sancho chips in a dangerous cross from outside the box on the left.
96 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Alexis Mac Allister is hauled back by Victor Lindelof, giving Brighton a freekick in a dangerous position not too far from the penalty area.
Brighton waste the opportunity.
95 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Deniz Undav bundles Casemiro off the ball outside United's penalty area at the expense of a freekick. You may not need to be a soothsayer to imagine how Roberto De Zerbi responds to the refereeing decision.
94 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Chance for Deniz Undav! The striker is beyond the United backline and onto a pass but needs to shoot first time and doesn't. The chance fades away.
93 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
United struggle to get out of their own half. Are they suffering because of their exploits on Thursday? There looked to be some tired legs among their ranks during the break.
Solly March does well on the flank to play the ball back to Adam Webster under pressure. Then Lewis Dunk wins the ball off Bruno Fernandes and looks to launch an attack.
91 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Brighton have the play during the first two minutes of the first half of extra time.
Alexis Mac Allister looks up outside the penalty area on the right and thumps a shot well over the crossbar.
Regulation: Brighton 0-0 Man United
It goes to extra time! A dance version of Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive' rings out as both teams form circles after another entertaining, unpredictable 45 minutes of football.
United had a really good period midway through the half, then Brighton were on the front foot and creating chances at the end.
Roberto De Zerbi looks pensive. Lewis Dunk is having words. Antony and Aaron Wan-Bissaka sit down and stretch their legs, as does Bruno Fernandes.
90 +2 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Kaoru Mitoma miscontrols the ball as he tries to cut inside from the left, sliding in somewhat wildly on Casemiro.
The winger is rightly booked. He could have caused some damage there.
90 +1 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Solly March heads Pascal Gross's corner over the crossbar. That was a difficult chance under pressure. Brighton are having some joy and United would probably appreciate the final whistle to regroup.
90 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
There will be at least three minutes of added time. Pervis Estupinan wins a corner on the left.
89 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
United deal with Solly March's inswinging corner to the near post, then lump the ball clear.
From the subsequent attack, Deniz Undav can't get the ball out from under his feet.
87 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
United win a corner on the right after Jadon Sancho's shot is deflected beyond a post. Then Brighton break through Kaoru Mitoma, culminating in Alexis Mac Allister winning a corner on the left.
Two minutes of regulation time to go.
85 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
United's pressure pays off as Robert Sanchez lofts a ball out of play and to safety after Adam Webster just about manages to slide a pass back to him with Marcus Rashford chasing.
Higher attendance than yesterday's semifinal: 81,445. Both ends have made plenty of noise.
84 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Antony concedes a freekick midway inside United's territoy to the left of centre. Brighton make a bit of a hash of the opportunity, and the danger dissipates.
Anthony Martial makes way for Jadon Sancho.
82 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Brighton go close! Solly March cuts inside from the right on the edge of the penalty area, keeps going and fires in a low shot.
David de Gea reacts smartly to plunge to his left and paw the ball in front of him. He can't gather, Pascal Gross dives in, and the goalkeeper takes the hit from Gross's boot. He's up after treatment. Admirable bravery.
81 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Solly March tries to release Pascal Gross in a dangerous area just outside United's penalty area on the right.
Fred charges in confidently and wins a goal kick off the German playmaker. Good work.
79 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Adam Webster concedes a freekick for a clumsy challenge on Anthony Martial as the striker attempts to bustle clear on the break.
77 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Marcus Rashford tries to beat Joel Veltman and runs the ball out of play on the left.
A minute later, Rashford wants a free-kick on the halfway line after a tussle with Veltman. Potentially decent battle, that.
75 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Bruno Fernandes takes the ball off Fred's foot just as the substitute is about to send in a strike from close range following another dangerous United attack on the right.
Nervy moments for Brighton.
73 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Danny Welbeck is injured after a challenge inside the penalty area with Victor Lindelof. Deniz Undav replaces him.
Welbeck grimaces and looks frustrated, receiving the plaudits from the Brighton fans as he trudges off past them in his orange-y boots.
71 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Adam Webster concedes a foul inside Brighton's half for tripping Anthony Martial. United play passes back, then Brighton win a throw-in on the halfway line.
Manager watch: Roberto De Zerbi is over the ball, while Erik ten Hag emerges from the dugout to issue some instructions.
69 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Anthony Martial looks to have the beating of Joel Veltman for pace as he tries to catch a seemingly lost cause of a pass down the left. It goes out, but this has been a good spell for United.
67 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Brighton's usual composure when they play the all out has gone. They're fortunate to win a goal-kick from a misplaced United pass, then give it away again inside their own half.
66 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Joel Veltman comes on for Julio Enciso. A sensible move, given that he's looked like a liability when United have attacked recently.
65 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
After an interminable wait, Bruno Fernandes fires the effort into the jumping Adam Webster in the Brighton wall, then lashes the rebound high over the crossbar.
62 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Fred comes on for Christian Eriksen. United continue to press for a goal, disrupting Brighton's rhythm and forcing them to play the ball out.
Marcus Rashford wins a freekick off Julio Enciso on the edge of the box, having nutmegged Alexis Mac Allister. Fred, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are sizing up the opportunity. The Brighton wall has to be comfortably inside the penalty area.
60 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Frantic action inside Brighton's half. Aaron Wan-Bissaka skips past his latest marker, Pervis Estupinan, for fun, then is hauled back but advantage is played.
United can't take advantage of two dangerous crosses, Lewis Dunk intercepting one of them inside a hectic penalty area. Had the luck of the bounce been different, United might be ahead.
59 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
David de Gea is called into action again! Alexis Mac Allister feeds Solly March inside the penalty area on the right, who fires in a cross-shot that the goalkeeper tips away.
58 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
United have another sight of goal but can't unduly trouble Robert Sanchez, who gathers.
Brighton have had 65% of possession but it's 5-5 on the shots count.
57 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
From the ensuing corner on the left, Danny Welbeck misses what is a sitter of a header for a Premier League player unmarked in front of goal.
It's at a slightly tricky angle but Roberto De Zerbi looks annoyed at seeing Welbeck nod it over the target.
56 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Super save! A succession of increasingly forceful Brighton attempts on goal culminates in Julio Enciso lashing in a strike.
David de Gea does excellently to tip the effort over the crossbar.
55 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Kaoru Mitoma has a go at Aaron Wan-Bissaka by the corner flag on the left, twisting and turning but getting no change out of his marker. Excellent defending.
Danny Welbeck then wins a corner as Victor Lindelof prods the ball behind under pressure on the opposite flank.
53 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Pascal Gross wins a throw-in deep in United territory on the right. Brighton play the ball back into their own half.
52 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Uncertainty from United inside their own penalty area. Pascal Gross angles a freekick towards the head of Lewis Dunk, who nods down.
Julio Enciso gambles and almost gets there. The defenders around the youngster look rattled, hacking clear.
49 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
The adventurous Pervis Estupinan has many qualities but shooting has not been one of them today.
Lewis Dunk nods a pass down to his fellow defender on the edge of United's penalty area on the left, and Estupinan responds by ballooning a shot high into the Brighton fans.
48 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Brighton win a corner down the right. The usual duo of Solly March and Pascal Gross are over it. Lewis Dunk.
47 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Now Brighton have several sights of goal inside the penalty area but can't get a clean shot away. Solly March almost capitalises when United throw possession away in front of goal.
46 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
We're back underway! United start where they left off, Antony making a great run down the right and getting a low cross in before Lewis Dunk can stop him.
There's no-one to connect. Anthony Martial is loitering without intent.
Halftime: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Brighton were mounting a useful attack just outside the penalty area on the left when the whistle blows. That was an absorbing half of football with chances aplenty for both teams.
Whether it's recency bias or a true reflection of what the scoreline should be, United will feel they should have scored from that succession of opportunities before the break. They're also indebted to David de Gea for stopping Alexis Mac Allister's early free-kick for Brighton, who've had 63% of possession but only one of the three efforts on target. It's beautifully poised.
45 mins +3: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Another terrific chance for United, who are rampant at the moment.
Christian Eriksen half-volleys a pass out to the left to find Anthony Martial in space, whose low cross finds Eriksen's run in an abundance of space. The finish is sufficiently lacking in conviction that Robert Sanchez is able to clear with a foot.
45 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
There will be three minutes of added time. United win possession in a dangerous area in the middle, and Anthony Martial tries to catch Robert Sanchez, who's off his line, out with an attempted lob.
The effort sails into the Brighton fans behind the goal. The gloved Martial covers his face.
44 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Massive chance for United! Bruno Fernandes charges into the penalty area with the ball on the right and flashes a low shot wide of goal, which might not seem that bad without the presence of Anthony Martial unmarked in front of goal.
You'd have expected the skipper to see that pass.
42 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
A spell of uncertainty at the back for United, who don't look terribly confident under pressure. Victor Lindelof narrowly prevents Kaoru Mitoma from having a chance inside the penalty area.
This perhaps doesn't need articulating, but Roberto De Zerbi is hopping up and down on the sideline.
41 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Victor Lindelof pulls Julio Enciso down beyond the halfway line inside United's half, giving Brighton a freekick. They play the ball back to Robert Sanchez.
40 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
United win a corner on their left as Antony's attempted cross is turned behind by the backtracking Moises Caicedo.
Christian Eriksen takes, and it's not a good delivery. Brighton break, but Kaoru Mitoma's eye-catching crossfield pass with the outside of his boot is fractionally behind Solly March, stemming the flow of the attack.
39 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
United put together a dangerous sequence of passes near the corner flag on the right, ending with Bruno Fernandes clutching his face after Pervis Estupinan's shoulder connects with him.
37 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Adam Webster puts in a bad challenge and Bruno Fernandes is incensed that the defender doesn't receive the same treatment as Casemiro did a minute ago.
Erik ten Hag also makes his feelings clear to the fourth official in his technical area.
36 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Casemiro is booked for a challenge that was clumsy rather than dangerous or cynical. That looks a little harsh – but draws a huge roar from the Brighton fans.
34 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Not for the first time, Moises Caicedo skips away from a challenge outside his own penalty area and sets Brighton off on an attack.
They then revert back to patient build-up, playing passes around at the back. Lewis Dunk finishes the sequence with a poor attempted diagonal bal out to the left.
32 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Moises Caicedo concedes a freekick by fouling Anthony Martial in a dangerous position on the left.
Christian Eriksen sends an inswinger towards the penalty area. Brighton half-clear, then Robert Sanchez gathers the second cross.
31 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Julio Enciso runs through the centre and releases Kaoru Mitoma, who cuts inside and keeps going just outside the penalty area.
Aaron Wan Bissaka puts in a superb tackle but the ball bobbles into the path of Enciso, who fires a shot wide.
29 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Kaoru Mitoma breaks free inside the penalty area on the left and flashes a delivery across the face of goal. Diogo Dalot clears emphatically.
27 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Diogo Dalot concedes a corner on the right after Solly March races on to a crossfield pass and attempts a cross.
March is over this. United head clear, but Brighton launch an attack down the opposite side. Pervis Estupinan zips in a low cross and United clear for a throw-in near the halfway line.
27 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Kaoru Mitoma is uncharacteristically wasteful with a chance inside the penalty area on the left. United break as far as the halfway line, where Lewis Dunk intercepts to a huge roar from the Brighton fans.
Dunk subsequently floats a poor pass straight through to David de Gea.
26 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Here's that David de Gea save from earlier. Well played.
Big hand from @D_DeGea ✋#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/n3rpcHHgf1
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 23, 2023
25 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Just when Bruno Fernandes looks okay, Marcus Rashford tumbles to the turf grimacing after an innocuous aerial challenge with Pascal Gross. Rashford, too, is able to continue.
23 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Bruno Fernandes lands horribly on an ankle unchalleged inside United's half on the centre circle. This is concerning. United's physios are on.
22 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Now Man United win a freekick near where Julio Enciso won his. The pace of chances has slowed a little.
20 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Solly March is up but looking in discomfort. Then Julio Enciso wins a freekick off Casemiro near the centre circle.
18 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Solly March is in pain. The Brighton wideman is on the turf receiving treatment to his right knee after landing awkwardly. By the looks of it, he may not be able to continue.
United might wryly chuckle at the idea of Brighton having too many injuries, but the Seagulls could do without losing any more players.
16 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Bruno Fernandes has made an excellent start to the game. United's captain shows quick feet again to twice force chances inside Brighton's penalty area, Lewis Dunk reacting in the nick of time to thwart one of them.
It's been a really open, entertaining match so far.
15 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
This is end-to-end stuff. Danny Welbeck takes a swipe at a shot after Pascal Gross reaches the byline on the right and cuts the ball back inside the penalty area.
Pervis Estupinan then thwacks a shot over the bar when well-placed.
14 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
United go close! Space opens up for Bruno on the edge of the penalty area to the right of centre following a productive run from Antony on the left.
The Portugal playmaker cracks in an angled drive that Robert Sanchez parries away.
13 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Julio Enciso concedes a foul on the right. Roberto De Zerbi has his first noticeable show of dissatisfaction of the afternoon on the touchline.
11 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
David de Gea sends a pass bouncing out of play just shy of the halfway line. Then Solly March finds Pascal Gross, who sets up Julio Enciso for a shot that bounces comfortably wide of the far post.
The Paraguayan prodigy has his hands to his cheeks.
10 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Solly March has plenty of time to swing in a cross from the right. He takes too much time, and Antony does well to get back and athletically block the attempted delivery away.
March then finds himself trying to control a bouncing ball just inside the penalty area on the right. Diogo Dalot chests it away – the Brighton fans, inevitably, want a penalty from their vantage point at the other end of the stadium.
8 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Now United have a promising opening. Bruno Fernandes breaks through the centre and for a second it looks like he's clean through, but he doesn't have the pace to get away from Adam Webster.
Antony then swings in a cross from the left which is headed away.
6 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Great save! Alexis Mac Allister curls the freekick over the wall and towards the far corner of David de Gea's net.
The goalkeeper - much-maligned this week for his performance in Sevilla - springs to his left to brilliantly tip the effort behind. Brighton can't profit greatly from the resulting corner.
5 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Brighton win a freekick in a dangerous position on the edge of the penalty area after Antony brings down the ever-lively Kaoru Mitoma.
That move was launched by a lung-busting run through the centre from Pervis Estupinan.
4 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
Solly March finds a patch of space on the right and swings a harmless cross towards the far post. It bounces behind.
3 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
There's a roar of anticipation from the United fans as Marcus Rashford charges at Pascal Gross - not noted for his speed - on the left.
Gross wards off the danger. Rashford goes down inside the penalty area. United appeal unsuccessfully.
2 mins: Brighton 0-0 Man United
United have a chance to attack through the centre. Play moves out to their left, where Diogo Dalot heads the ball out for a throw-in.
1 min: Brighton 0-0 Man United
A quiet opening minute. Brighton, as you might anticipate, keep the ball. United manager Erik ten Hag goes for an open jacket and jumper today.
5 mins from kickoff: The teams are out! The atmosphere is electric. Erik ten Hag and Roberto De Zerbi exchange pleasantries. Here we go.
Just @ChrisEriksen8 banging in free-kicks in warm-ups 😮💨#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/nk2g6hp5WS
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 23, 2023
20 mins from kickoff: All of the players are now out warming up. Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi is strolling around in his usual attire of all-black with white trainers.
40 mins from kickoff: And here's Manchester United's starting 11.
Your @ManUtd starting XI for their #EmiratesFACup semi-final clash 👊 pic.twitter.com/UN7DCRMSkq
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 23, 2023
45 mins from kickoff: Team news! Here's how Brighton start.
TEAM NEWS. 🚨 Here's our starting XI for our @EmiratesFACup semi-final. 📝
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) April 23, 2023
📲 https://t.co/S3j1TIedJv // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/fGFZF6lzln
55 mins from kickoff: Brighton's goalkeepers are out first to warm up in front of their fans, who are filling out their section nicely.
Then their counterparts from United's union emerge to similarly warm applause from their supporters. The Red Devils had been on a decent run of four clean sheets in six games in all competitions before conceding five goals over two legs to Sevilla either side of a shutout at Nottingham Forest.
60 mins from kickoff: Don’t forget to follow our dedicated football channels on Twitter and Instagram for all the latest football updates, stats and analysis.
They’re your essential companions to the beautiful game.
👀 On this day seven years ago, Anthony Martial did this in the semi-finals of the #FACup.
— Sporting News Football Club (@sn_footballclub) April 23, 2023
👉 Man United are back at Wembley this afternoon for another FA Cup semi-final, Martial starts vs. Brighton.
🎥: @btsportfootball pic.twitter.com/G6cGkvRm4b
80 mins from kickoff: This is Brighton’s third FA Cup semifinal. Gabriel Jesus scored the only goal of the game when Manchester City beat a distinctly unambitious Albion side in 2019, 26 years after the Sussex club saw off Sheffield Wednesday in the final four.
Albion midfield legend Jimmy Case, who went on to briefly manage the club while it was in turmoil during the 1990s, scored a sensational freekick on that day at Arsenal’s former ground of Highbury. Here it is!
100 mins from kickoff: We've been out and about talking to Brighton fans about what they're rather achieve this season...
👀 Would Brighton fans rather win the FA Cup this season or play in the Champions League next season? pic.twitter.com/Otzz5E5dqW
— Sporting News Football Club (@sn_footballclub) April 23, 2023
120 mins from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' coverage of the 2022/23 FA Cup semifinal between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United!
These sides are in markedly different situations to the ones they ended up in after their final games of last season. United have made significant progress in Erik ten Hag's first season in charge, already winning one trophy in the form of the Carabao Cup and putting themselves in a strong position to return to the UEFA Champions League via a place in the top four of the Premier League.
Having consistently targeted little more than safety following their promotion in 2016/17, Brighton finished ninth during an impressive campaign. They made an even better start to this season, including a 2-1 win at Old Trafford against a United side still struggling to find their feet under Ten Hag, before former manager Graham Potter left for Chelsea.
What seemed like a disaster to many fans became a blessing as Roberto De Zerbi's appointment in October heralded the arrival of a splendidly attacking brand of football, cementing the Seagulls as contenders for a place in the top six.
It makes for an intriguing contest today. Stay with us for full coverage!
Brighton vs. Man United team news, lineups
De Zerbi had to contend with injury issues in his squad, with rising star Evan Ferguson out with an ankle injury, and key defender Joel Veltman injured.
Centre back Levi Colwill returned on the bench after being ineligible to face parent club Chelsea in Premier League action last weekend.
Brighton starting XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez (GK) — Estupinan, Dunk, Webster, Gross – Mac Allister, Caicedo – Mitoma, Enciso, March – Welbeck
Brighton subs: Steele (GK), Colwill, Undav, Ayari, Gilmour, van Hecke, Veltman, Buonanotte, Offiah.
United captain Harry Maguire missed out through suspension, with Luke Shaw covering at centre back. Bruno Fernandes returned after being banned for the Sevilla defeat.
Man United projected starting XI De Gea (GK) — Wan-Bissaka, Shaw, Lindolof, Dalot – Eriksen, Casemiro – Fernandes, Rashford, Dalot – Martial
Man United subs: Butland (GK), Malacia, Williams, Fred, Pellistri, Sabitzer, Elanga, Sancho, Weghorst
What time is Brighton vs. Man United?
This FA Cup match kicks off at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, April 23 at 4:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Sun, Apr. 23 | 11:30 ET |
| Canada | Sun, Apr. 23 | 11:30 ET |
| UK | Sun, Apr. 23 | 16:30 BST |
| Australia | Mon, Apr. 24 | 01:30 AEST |
| India | Sun, Apr. 23 | 21:00 IST |
| Hong Kong | Sun, Apr. 23 | 23:30 HKT |
| Malaysia | Sun, Apr. 23 | 23:30 MYT |
| Singapore | Sun, Apr. 23 | 23:30 SGT |
| New Zealand | Mon, Apr. 24 | 03:30 NZST |
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How to watch Brighton vs. Man United
Here's how to watch all of the action from this match in some of the major territories:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
|---|---|---|
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | Sportsnet | Sportsnet Now |
| UK | BBC 1 (BBC 2 in Wales) | BBC iPlayer/site |
| Australia | — | Paramount |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 7, beIN Sports | beIN Sports Connect |
| India | Sony TEN 2 | Jio TV, SONY LIV |
| Hong Kong | — | myTV SUPER, M Plus LIVE |
| Malaysia | Astro SuperSport 4 | Astro GO, sooka |
| Singapore | 111 mio sports 1 | — |
UK: This match will be broadcast live in the UK on the BBC with streaming options available on the BBC iPlayer.
USA: This match will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+.
Canada: Every FA Cup game this season is available exclusively via Sportsnet/Sportsnet Now in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream this match live and on demand on Paramount.