Man Utd Crash Out of League Cup After Losing 3-2 to Brighton

Manchester United faced more trouble as they lost 3-2 to Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday. They blew a two-goal lead and exited the tournament in a shocking defeat at Old Trafford.

This loss marked United's second straight defeat at home. They had a terrible collapse in the third round of the League Cup.

United started strong with goals from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount within just 10 minutes. But Charalampos Kostoulas ignited Brighton's comeback. Pascal Gross equalised, and then Maxim De Cuyper scored the winner, leaving Carrick stunned as the fans booed the team off the pitch.

This was another painful moment for United after their controversial 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. The referees admitted that VAR officials made a mistake allowing Erling Haaland’s goal, which left United with just one win in their first four Premier League matches.

Carrick had led United to third place last season as interim boss. Fans expected him to challenge for the title this season after getting the permanent role. But now, United have already lost three of their six games in all competitions. This puts pressure on Carrick to turn things around against Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.

A loss in West London would put United in a serious crisis just a month into the new season. There has been criticism about United’s transfer activities this summer. Carrick’s choice to make eight changes showed the thinness of his squad.

At least Lacey gives some hope for United’s future. This is unlike JJ Gabriel, another young talent, who reportedly wants to leave Old Trafford. The 19-year-old midfielder showed why Carrick trusts him, scoring just eight minutes into the match.

Lacey took the ball inside the Brighton penalty area and scored his first-ever goal for United with a powerful shot into the bottom corner. Mount added to the score just two minutes later. He fired into the roof of the net after Jason Steele saved Marcus Rashford’s shot.

But United’s defense fell apart again in first-half stoppage time. Kostoulas took advantage of poor marking from Ayden Heaven and scored past Karl Darlow. This setback rattled United, and they conceded a 65th-minute equaliser when Gross controlled a header from Luka Vuskovic and scored from close range.

Carrick's team looked lost, and Brighton struck again in the 70th minute. De Cuyper scored after a pass from Kostoulas, putting the ball into the net from six yards after sloppy defending from United.

Carrick brought on Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha in the later stages, but United could not find an equaliser. Brighton has now knocked United out of two cups in nine months, having beaten them in the FA Cup at Old Trafford in January.

This loss was the first time in 50 years that United lost a home match after leading 2-0.