Brighton Stun Manchester United with Old Trafford Carabao Cup Comeback
Manchester United are out of the Carabao Cup after Brighton completed a 3-2 comeback at Old Trafford, overturning a two-goal deficit to reach the fourth round.
Key takeaways
- Shea Lacey and Mason Mount put United 2-0 up inside 10 minutes.
- Charalampos Kostoulas reduced the gap before the interval.
- Pascal Gross equalised on 65 minutes before Maxim De Cuyper scored the winner five minutes later.
- Michael Carrick has won only two of his six matches in charge this season.
- United next visit Fulham, while Brighton face Premier League champions Arsenal.
Brighton punish United collapse
United made several changes but made a flying start. Lacey opened the scoring in the eighth minute, then Mount struck two minutes later as Carrick’s side seized early control.
Brighton changed the mood of the tie before half-time when Kostoulas found the net. The visitors then dominated after the restart, exposing a United defence that could not withstand sustained pressure.
Gross brought Brighton level in the 65th minute, and De Cuyper completed the turnaround five minutes afterwards. United were unable to create a late response as their cup campaign ended at the third-round stage.
It is the first time in more than half a century that United have lost a home match after leading by at least two goals. The previous occasion was a 3-2 defeat to Tottenham in September 1976.
Lacey milestone cannot lift pressure on Carrick
Lacey was one of the few positives for United despite the result. His goal made him the first teenager to score on his first United start since Marcus Rashford, then 18, did so against FC Midtjylland in February 2016.
But the defeat intensifies the scrutiny around Carrick, whose side have registered just two wins from six games in all competitions. United now head to Fulham in the Premier League, where a convincing result is needed to ease the growing pressure.
Brighton move into the fourth round with a major away win behind them. Their next league assignment is a demanding meeting with reigning champions Arsenal.
