Brighton Stun Manchester United as Cankovic Strike Deepens Skinner's Woes

Key facts

• Brighton & Hove Albion beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Women's Super League.
• Ivana Cankovic scored the only goal for Brighton.
• Manchester United remain fourth in the WSL table.
• Brighton previously defeated European champions Arsenal and WSL leaders Manchester City.
• Fran Kirby has been instrumental in Brighton's five goals in those two cup wins.
• Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner insists his job is safe despite mounting criticism.
• Winger Leah Galton may play her final home game for United before leaving in the summer.
• Five minutes of added time were played in the second half.

A Familiar Script for United as Brighton Strike Early

Brighton & Hove Albion silenced the Leigh Sports Village crowd when Ivana Cankovic fired the visitors ahead in the first half, a lead they would defend with discipline and grit. The goal came against the run of early pressure, but it was a clinical finish that exposed Manchester United's recurring vulnerability to counter-attacks. United pushed for an equaliser throughout the second half, but Brighton's backline, marshalled by former England defender Fern Whelan's analysis of their defensive solidity, absorbed wave after wave of attacks. "Brighton have been just as good defensively, they've dealt with most of what has been thrown at them by United," Whelan noted on Sky Sports. As the clock ticked into five minutes of added time, Brighton's Manuela Vanegas ran the ball to the corner flag, attempting to win a corner but instead smashing it behind for a goal kick — a moment of relief for the hosts but emblematic of a side that had lost its composure.

Brighton's Giant-Killing Spree Continues

The victory at Manchester United is the latest in a sequence of high-profile scalps for Dario Vidosic's side. Earlier this season, Brighton won at European champions Arsenal to reach the FA Cup semi-finals, then beat WSL leaders Manchester City just when City looked poised to all but secure the title. Fran Kirby, the former England star who joined Brighton in the summer, has been instrumental in the five goals scored in those two cup triumphs. "We have had some really good performances the whole season but maybe haven't just been getting the results we deserve," Kirby told The Argus. "It is all coming together in terms of the style we want to play, the way we play and the culture in the group." Head coach Dario Vidosic acknowledged the magnitude of the run: "It's an exciting time and we spoke about the challenge we had ahead of us. We knew we were playing against the top four and we had an FA Cup semi-final." Brighton now face a home date with Arsenal before the FA Cup semi away to Liverpool.

Skinner Under Fire as United's Trophy Drought Lengthens

Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner entered the match adamant his job was safe, but the defeat only intensifies scrutiny on a side set to end the 2025/2026 campaign trophyless. Recent results both domestically and in Europe have attracted criticism, and this loss to a Brighton team that had already beaten two of the league's top sides underscores the gap United must close. Skinner, speaking before the match, insisted he is "fully-focused on getting the team where we want it to be" and that he is "whole-heartedly working to put our team where we want it to be which is winning titles and winning things going forward." He acknowledged Brighton's form, noting that City "probably should have been 3-0 up" early in their match but that Brighton "have done fantastically well to get over the hump." "What's really important is that we get the performance from us," Skinner said. "Going into the game, we have to be at that level where we are attacking and putting Brighton on the back-foot. If we do that, we can win the game." The result suggests United failed to execute that plan.

Galton's Potential Farewell Overshadowed by Defeat

Winger Leah Galton could have played at Leigh Sports Village for one final time before leaving Manchester United in the summer. Skinner paid tribute to the player ahead of the match, saying: "She has made a massive impact on this club and forever she will be welcomed back with her family because she has left a legacy here. I hope she goes on to do what she wants to do and finishes her career in the way she wants to." Galton's departure would mark the end of an era for United, who have relied on her creativity from the flanks. The defeat, however, meant her potential farewell was a somber one, with the team unable to give her a winning send-off.

The Road Ahead: United Seek Answers, Brighton Eye More Glory

For Manchester United, the immediate task is to arrest a slide that has left them fourth in the WSL table, adrift of the title race and facing questions about the direction under Skinner. The manager's insistence that his job is safe will be tested by results; the upcoming fixtures offer little respite. Brighton, meanwhile, have established themselves as genuine contenders in both the league and cup. With the FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool on the horizon, and a home match against Arsenal next, Vidosic's side have the chance to cement their status as the season's surprise package. Kirby's influence, both in goals and in galvanising the squad, will be crucial. The victory at Manchester United is not just another scalp — it is a statement that Brighton belong among the elite. For United, it is a warning that the gap between ambition and achievement remains stubbornly wide.

The bottom line

• Brighton's 1-0 win over Manchester United is their third victory against a top-four side this season, following wins over Arsenal and Manchester City.
• Ivana Cankovic's first-half goal was the difference, as Brighton defended resolutely to secure three points.
• Manchester United remain fourth in the WSL and face growing pressure on manager Marc Skinner after a trophyless season.
• Fran Kirby has been pivotal in Brighton's giant-killing run, contributing to five goals in the two previous cup wins.
• Leah Galton may have played her final home game for United, with the winger set to leave in the summer.
• Brighton's next challenges are a home league match against Arsenal and an FA Cup semi-final away to Liverpool.