Shane Duffy refuses to see Albion’s FA Cup test at Manchester United as a free hit and warns they should not be written off.

The Seagulls are 5-1 outsiders with bookmakers to make it through tonight’s quarter-final at Old Trafford (7.45pm), whether in 90 minutes, after-extra-time or on penalties.

United are 8-1 on to reach the semi-finals at Wembley, but Duffy does not regard the odds against the Seagulls causing an upset as a reason to think they have nothing to lose.

“You never want to think like that,” the Republic of Ireland defender told The Argus. “You are one game away from the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

“We feel confident we can go through what ever it takes. If it’s just defending for 90 minutes or like we did up there in our best performance away from home (lost 1-0), you never know which way it can go.

“People can write us off because you should do on paper, but the lads won’t think like that at all. If we can maybe get a goal, get in front and frustrate the crowd, you never know.”

United have been accused of being too negative under Jose Mourinho. He responded in his press conference yesterday after Tuesday’s Champions League at home to Sevilla with a non-stop rant, lasting 12 minutes.

Duffy said: “Jose’s got his methods, but I still think they play quite attacking football. Maybe not as the old Manchester United did, but you see the numbers, they score goals.

“I think maybe they have been criticised for their defensive performances against the big clubs, but I just think they are still a very, very, very good team.

“And if we’re not on it, we could easily be punished and it can be over. But you have to stick there against the big teams.”