'Biggest issue'… Major Man Utd prediction is now made by Owen Hargreaves after FA Cup defeat to Brighton

TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves has now dropped his Premier League prediction for Manchester United after the Red Devils’ shock FA Cup exit to Brighton.

The Red Devils have been reduced to a 40-match season after Brighton inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday evening.

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Man Utd hosted Brighton for the start of their FA Cup campaign and the Red Devils ended the contest at Old Trafford with 10 men after Shea Lacey was sent off.

Brajan Gruda put the Seagulls 1-0 up in the first half of Sunday’s FA Cup tie before Brighton striker Danny Welbeck netted against his former side in the second half.

Benjamin Sesko netted for United late in the second half at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils failed to find a crucial equaliser before the full-time whistle at the weekend.

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The Red Devils were already effectively reduced to one match per week earlier in the 2025-26 season after Manchester United crashed out of the Carabao Cup.

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Man Utd’s full focus will now be on their Premier League campaign after the Red Devils failed to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup competition.

The Red Devils are winless in their last three Premier League matches and United are seventh in the table, with the club three points behind fourth-place Liverpool.

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Speaking to TNT Sports, Owen Hargreaves believes that the Red Devils should be securing a place in the top four and Champions League football for next season.

“They are only three points off fourth; they should get Champions League football,” he said.

“They are the only team in there that doesn’t have any European competition.

“They’ve got one game a week, they can be well rested, they can work on things on the training pitch. I genuinely believe they should.”

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Owen Hargreaves’ major concern about Man Utd’s Premier League campaign amid their top-four chances

The Red Devils’ top-four hopes could be derailed in the coming weeks amid their tough run of fixtures after former United manager Ruben Amorim was sacked.

Man Utd will host Manchester City at Old Trafford for their Manchester derby clash on Saturday before travelling to the Emirates to face league leaders Arsenal.

Hargreaves insisted that the “biggest issue” that could hold the Red Devils back from challenging for the top four is their defensive vulnerabilities this season.

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“They have enough firepower; they are the third-highest scorers,” he added.

“They concede too many goals. That is the biggest issue they have. So, going to a back four might help.

“But I do think they have the personnel to finish in the top five, and I think they should with the personnel they have.”

United and City’s Premier League showdown is slated for a 12:30pm kick-off time in the UK on Saturday afternoon at Old Trafford.

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