(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Manchester United have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle for the second consecutive season.
The Red Devils slumped to a dismal 3-2 defeat at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion tonight, despite leading by two goals inside 10 minutes of kick-off.
United squander early lead before suffering premature cup exit once again
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United reacts after the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on September 16, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
The result also marked the first time in 50 years that a team has come back from 2-0 down at Old Trafford to beat United, which last happened in September 1976 against Tottenham Hotspur.
Michael Carrick made eight changes to his starting XI prior to kick-off, granting debuts to youngster Shea Lacey and veteran goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Lacey instantly repaid his manager’s faith by scoring a scintillating goal to open his account as a senior player, while the latter’s performance between the sticks left much to be desired.
SHEA LACEY ON HIS FIRST START!!! 🔴🌟 What a hit from the 19-year-old to open the scoring for Man Utd! pic.twitter.com/Ex2ceXaUge — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 16, 2026
Although Carrick was keen to utilise fringe players from the off, Joshua Zirkzee is still awaiting his first start of the term, and he was introduced to the action in the 66th minute when replacing Benjamin Sesko.
How Zirkzee fared vs Brighton
To say the Dutchman made no impact is an understatement.
Zirkzee had 17 touches of the ball in his 24 minutes on the pitch and completed only five accurate passes.
He was unsuccessful in two dribble attempts and with one attempt at a cross, while he was also dispossessed once and had one shot off target.
Jamie Redknapp briefly addressed the 25-year-old’s display post-match, summing it up by saying: “Zirkzee couldn’t pass a ball to his own team [members].”
Alas, a win on Sunday is absolutely imperative for Carrick and his squad – or else United are in for a particularly bleak international break mulling over their torrid start.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion players walk out before the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on September 16, 2026 in Manchester, England
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, applauds the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
BBC: Carrick’s incomprehensible decision may have pushed JJ Gabriel out of Man Utd
Related Items: