Manchester United take on Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round tonight. United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend, failing to make the most of their extra man advantage after Phil Foden's sending off.
[United's defeat in the Manchester derby](http://United vs Brighton live match updates) means they have taken just four points from their opening four league games. The Reds lost against Hull, beat Ipswich Town and drew against Everton before facing City.
The pressure has increased on Michael Carrick, who is expected to make changes but still name a strong team this evening.
United were planning to name JJ Gabriel in the squad tonight, and he would have become the club's youngest ever debutant if he'd been given a cameo, but his request to leave left this week left Old Trafford chiefs stunned.
Follow the blog below for live updates from Old Trafford.
Never dull at this club
It’s never dull at United. Carrick wanted a quiet few days after suffering defeat in the Manchester derby, but the news of Gabriel’s request to leave the club was a bombshell yesterday afternoon.
The widespread media attention is due to the player’s ability. He is a genuinely special talent, which is why United have done everything they can to make him feel valued, but a young player follows the advice of their camp at the start of their career. Gabriel has been advised to leave the club and not to train over the last few days. United were planning to give him a debut tonight, which would have made him the youngest player in the club’s history.
JJ Gabriel
JJ Gabriel
Pre-match chat at Old Trafford tonight will be dominated by a Year 11 kid who isn’t even here. JJ Gabriel should have been in line to become United’s youngest-ever player this evening, but his request to leave the club and his refusal to train sent shockwaves around Old Trafford. It feels like a long way back now and as the MEN reported this morning, United fear he could walk away for nothing to sign for a European club on October 6. That would be a seismic blow, but the club has other promising youngsters and we might well see some of them tonight.
JJ Gabriel
JJ Gabriel
So, what can we expect tonight?
Content cannot be displayed without consent
'A win against Brighton is crucial'
Alan Shearer has given his verdict to Betfair ahead of tonight's game.
He said: "It is a massive game tonight for Manchester United. There were one or two rumblings on Sunday at Old Trafford that you could hear because of how poor they were in the Derby."I know it was a really controversial goal, but I thought they were poor against Man City once they went down to ten men. United didn't use it to their advantage at all. They hit the woodwork a couple of times, but they didn't create anywhere near enough."Most of the talk has been about how shocking the goal decision was, but I guess because of that, there hasn't been much scrutiny on how poor United were, and they were."I haven't been impressed with them at all. I know there is a lot of talk that they bought forwards last year and midfielders this year, but I am not convinced that in forward positions they have enough anyway."They still lack a top-quality centre forward, and clearly Michael Carrick doesn't trust Benjamin Sesko. It is a huge game for them against Brighton because you can imagine the noise if they were to be beaten again."Carrick needs a result, like a few managers do. You are always going to get that intense pressure because of the size of the club and the expectations. There is always pressure on whoever is in charge at Man Utd."If they don't get the results, which they haven't, as they were beaten by Hull and Man City, you can imagine the noise with a three-week international break. There will be lots to talk about, and they will not want that going into that break. But it will be if they are beaten again."
Alan Shearer wanted to see Alexander Isak step up and take Liverpool's penalty against Newcastle United.
(Image: Getty Images)
Tyrone Marshall
There will be changes for this game but perhaps not to the extent that Carrick would have been planning for a month ago. The pressure is building and he needs a result, so the chances of youngsters playing are reduced.
But in a way, this game means far less than Fulham on Sunday and that trip is a must-win, so it's worth ringing the changes here. That means a debut for Darlow, Yoro and Heaven at the back and I would start Amass as well so that Mazraoui can play at right-back.
Santos needs to come back in for a start and Mount is due one as well. They combined to good effect in the summer in midfield. I think Fernandes is in need of a rest and would actually start Cunha as the No. 10.
That allows Sesko to lead the line and I'd go with youth on the wings, with Lacey and Thompson starting. There will be experience on the bench to come on if needed.
Steven Railston
Carrick will rotate for this game, but he will be aware that he needs a win after the Manchester derby defeat. The Premier League is the priority, but a bad start could threaten to turn into a disastrous one if United crash out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle for a second successive season.
Brighton have won four times at Old Trafford from their previous five visits and deserve respect, so I'd pick a reasonably strong team, with Lammens, Maguire, Fernandes, Mbeumo and Rashford keeping their places after last weekend's game.
Sesko must start this game and maintain his place against Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
Welcome
Hello and welcome to today's Manchester United live match blog.
United take on Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round this evening and we'll bring you the build-up to the game, live updates throughout the 90 minutes and reaction after the final whistle.
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick