Manchester United suffered a disappointing setback on Tuesday as they relinquished a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup second round at Old Trafford. The result marks another blow in what has been a challenging week for the club and adds to mounting pressure on head coach Michael Carrick.
United took an early advantage within the first ten minutes, with 19-year-old Shea Lacey opening his first start for the club with a composed finish after receiving a pass from new captain Youri Tielemans. Just moments later, Mason Mount doubled the lead following a run by Marcus Rashford into Brighton’s penalty area. Rashford’s shot was initially saved by goalkeeper Jason Steele but rebounded to Mount, who scored from close range to put the hosts 2-0 ahead.
Despite this promising start, Brighton mounted a spirited comeback, which began just before half-time when Charalampos Kostoulas capitalised on a defensive lapse and slotted the ball past United’s goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Early in the second half, Pascal Gross equalised after a mistake by United defender Diogo Dalot, whose clearance was intercepted by Brighton’s captain Luka Vuskovic. Shortly after, Maxim De Cuyper completed the turnaround with a finish that caught the home side off guard.
The defeat marks a continuation of United’s struggles in domestic cup competitions, having been eliminated at the first hurdle for the second consecutive season. The loss also follows a contentious 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, marred by a disputed VAR offside decision. Further compounding the club’s difficulties, 15-year-old academy prospect JJ Gabriel publicly expressed his desire to leave United, a development that has unsettled fans and staff alike.
Carrick made six changes to the starting lineup following Sunday’s defeat, handing Lacey his first start amid hopes of injecting fresh energy. However, despite early promise and controlled possession in the opening stages, United were unable to maintain their composure as Brighton grew in confidence and ruthlessly capitalised on defensive errors.
In response to the setback, Carrick acknowledged responsibility, stating he accepted accountability for the team’s collapse but expressed confidence that improvements could follow swiftly. Fans voiced their frustration as the team exited the competition, with sections of the crowd audibly critical upon the final whistle.
Brighton’s victory extends their strong recent record at Old Trafford, having won four of their last five visits. The result leaves United with just four points from their first six league games this season, with pressure mounting ahead of their upcoming Premier League encounter against Fulham.
Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler’s side demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to overturn the deficit, underscoring their position among the early season’s surprise packages in fifth place in the league table. The Seagulls’ ability to exploit United’s defensive frailties and seize momentum proved decisive in progressing to the next round.
As Manchester United grapple with inconsistent form and off-field distractions, questions continue to surround the direction and stability of the squad under Carrick’s stewardship. The challenge remains for the club to restore confidence both on and off the pitch in the coming weeks.