Maxim De Cuyper's strike completed Brighton's sensational comeback
Maxim De Cuyper's strike completed Brighton's sensational comeback
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Manchester United's season went from bad to worse as they gave up a 2-0 lead to lose to Brighton and go crashing out of the Carabao Cup.
Goals inside the opening ten minutes from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount looked to have set the home side on their way to a much needed win, given the difficult start to their campaign.
But Pascal Gross, who scored his eighth goal against the Red Devils, helped the Seagulls record yet another win over the side from Manchester. United hadn't given up a two-goal lead to lose at Old Trafford since the 1970s, but that stat went up in smoke.
Charalampos Kostoulas pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time before Gross equalised midway through the second-half. Maxim De Cuyper completed the comeback on the 70 minute mark to send shivers around Old Trafford.
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Lacey's strike after eight minutes came after he cut in from the right, taking his left-footed shot early, which flew into the near post. The Old Trafford crowd still reeling from that strike were celebrating again within two minutes.
Mount, who himself has found opportunities hard to come by, was able to seize on an error of Brighton's own making as they attempted to play out from the back. The United midfielder struck his volley into the ground, with the bounce seeing it nestle into the Brighton net.
The Seagulls rallied and eventually got their reward in first-half stoppage time. Kostoulas was able to finish from an acute angle to half the deficit. Little did he know it would ignite a historic comeback. Gross' equaliser owed to some poor defending as a headed clearance from the halfway line found the Brighton man unmarked on the edge of the United box before he turned and finished.
Pascal Gross continued his impressive scoring record against Man Utd
Pascal Gross continued his impressive scoring record against Man Utd
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De Cuyper's winner came from close range as he converted after a neat comeback before running towards the corner where the travelling supporters were enjoying another day out in Manchester.
Marcus Rashford missed United's best chance to level as he was denied from close range as the Red Devils saw their Carabao Cup hopes ended at the first hurdle once again. Here's five talking points from Old Trafford.
Brighton jinx continues
In recent years few teams have enjoyed greater dominance over United than the Seagulls, who have made beating them an annual event. Brighton headed to Old Trafford having won seven of their last eleven games against the Premier League giants.
That includes a 2-1 win in Manchester in the third round of the FA Cup last season. That run of form also saw Brighton beat United in the first game of the Erik ten Hag era, that another win at Old Trafford, and a 4-0 mauling back in 2022 when the Red Devils were at one of their lowest ebbs.
You may have thought that a two-goal head start would've been enough to see United get the better of Brighton, but no, the Seagulls recorded another impressive win - their eighth in their last 12 against the Red Devils.
Game mismanagement
Throughout the season United have faced criticism for failing to manage games and, worryingly for them, conceding goals. Sunday was one of the rare occasions they didn't concede twice during a game, but that trend returned on Wednesday as Brighton breached the United goal on numerous occasions.
Michael Carrick had no answers as his side lost for the third time this season
Michael Carrick had no answers as his side lost for the third time this season
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Perhaps a greater frustration for Carrick will the apparent inability of his side to manage games, especially when leading. They failed to see out the contest at Everton recently, conceding late. Against the ten-men of Manchester City they also failed to make it count. But the loss to Brighton by far and away topped the lot.
Lacey's moment
The last time Lacey faced Brighton at Old Trafford he was thrown on after an hour, but failed to see the full-time whistle after being shown a red card. The teenager cut a despondent figure when he walked down the tunnel, thinking one of his early opportunities to impress had come and gone.
Eight months after that forgettable moment the teenager, handed his first start of the season, needed just eight minutes to score the first goal of the night. There are high hopes for Lacey, even in an attack that has established quality, and the 19-year-old's first goal of his career could not have come against a better opponent, even if his efforts will be forget on what was a difficult night for those in red.
Shea Lacey's strike was the perfect start for the hosts
Shea Lacey's strike was the perfect start for the hosts
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No place for JJ
All the talk regarding United over the past 24 hours is shock as they deal with the bombshell news that JJ Gabriel, one of the most highly thought of players to come through the academy for some time, wants out.
The sensation was named Under-18 Premier League player of the year last season, even though he was only 14 when the campaign began, underlining his potential. He was poised to make his debut against Brighton, but instead is looking for a way out of Old Trafford. His name alongside the No 77 was printed on the back of the matchday programme, but his stay in Manchester could be over before its started.
Sesko pressure remains
In the opening weeks of the season there's been constant theories as to why Carrick doesn't seem to fancy Sesko, at least as a starter. The Slovenian grew into his debut season, coming off the bench to score multiple winners, but a bench player he has remained.
Instead players who aren't natural No 9s have been deployed in those positions ahead of Sesko. But when the former RB Leipzig man got the nod on Wednesday night he did little to push his case for more involvement, especially from the start. Being hooked on the hour mark was not a ringing endorsement.
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