Coach rips 'fragile' players as Manchester United booed off after shock FA Cup loss

Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher said Monday's FA Cup defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford exposed the "fragile" nature of the squad.

Near silence greeted the final whistle as the 2-1 third-round loss ended United's hopes of silverware while some boos rang out as the players trudged off the pitch.

Former United midfielder Fletcher stepped up from his role as the club's under 18s coach to take charge of the first team after the sacking of Ruben Amorim last week.

Football's new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, European World Cup qualifiers, J.League, NSWL and K League

But after a 2-2 draw away to Burnley in the Premier League, his hopes of providing a boost at Old Trafford were frustrated as former United player Danny Welbeck scored for the visitors after Brajan Gruda put them in front early on.

"It was mixed really, we started OK but the goal knocked the stuffing out of us," Fletcher said.

"Our passing was quite slow so I challenged them at half time. It was similar to the game in the week, we needed to move the ball with more tempo.

"When we got back to 2-1, I thought here we go, the crowd was up, the energy was up, but ultimately we couldn't get the equaliser. I think you can see the players are fragile and need to build themselves up. It's up to them to respond."

United are expected to announce a caretaker manager for the rest of the season next week but Fletcher said that whoever that is, it is up to the players to dig deep.

READ MORE: Poland ends United Cup heartbreak to clinch title

READ MORE: Medvedev weathers tiebreak tension to secure Brisbane title

READ MORE: Sabalenka's cheeky hint to partner after retaining Brisbane crown

"Confidence is the most powerful thing in football, but when you don't have it you have to dig deep, battle, grind and work and work to win games, then the confidence comes back."

United have failed to survive a round in either of the domestic cup competitions for the first time since 1981-82 and with no European football, the season threatens to fizzle out.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli scored his first hat-trick for Arsenal as the Premier League leaders beat second-tier strugglers Portsmouth 4-1 to reach the FA Cup fourth round.

In other third-round ties, West Ham United enjoyed a break from their Premier League woes as they beat second-tier Queens Park Rangers 2-1 after extra time with new signing Valentin Castellanos heading the winner.

Leeds United beat Derby County 3-1 while third-tier Mansfield Town beat Championship side Sheffield United 4-3 away.

After several shocks already in the third round, including sixth-tier Macclesfield knocking out holders Crystal Palace, another one looked possible when Colby Bishop raised the roof at Fratton Park by putting Portsmouth ahead after three minutes against Arsenal, firing in a rebound after a save by Kepa Arrizabalaga.