Manchester United crashed out of the Carabao Cup after surrendering a two-goal lead in a damaging **3-2 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford**.
Michael Carrick’s side appeared in complete control after Shea Lacey and Mason Mount scored inside the opening ten minutes.
But Brighton recovered through Charalampos Kostoulas before half-time before Pascal Groß and Maxim De Cuyper struck in the second half to complete a remarkable turnaround.
United are now out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle for the second successive season.
The defeat was made even more painful by how well Carrick’s side started.
Lacey and Mount give Man Utd dream start
----------------------------------------
Lacey marked his full Manchester United debut in perfect fashion.
The teenager drove past two Brighton defenders before beating Jason Steele at his near post in the eighth minute.
United needed only another 43 seconds after the restart to double their advantage.
Marcus Rashford’s effort was initially saved, but Mount converted to put Carrick’s side **2-0 ahead before ten minutes had been played**.
It looked like exactly the response United needed after their recent Manchester derby defeat.
ReadManUtd had outlined the major selection questions before kick-off in its [Manchester United vs Brighton Carabao Cup preview](https://readmanutd.com/2026/09/15/manchester-united-vs-brighton-carabao-cup-preview/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Carrick had rotated heavily but was rewarded immediately by two players given opportunities from the start.
United failed to build on that platform.
Brighton punish Man Utd collapse
--------------------------------
Brighton gradually found their way into the tie and Kostoulas reduced the deficit in first-half stoppage time.
The striker beat Karl Darlow to a long ball before finishing to make it 2-1 at the interval.
That goal changed the contest completely.
United’s control disappeared after the restart and Brighton equalised in the 65th minute when Groß converted from close range.
Only four minutes later, the comeback was complete.
Diego Gómez drove forward and crossed for substitute **De Cuyper**, who finished from close range to put Brighton 3-2 ahead.
United suddenly found themselves chasing a game they had looked capable of controlling comfortably.
Carrick introduced Bruno Fernandes as he searched for a response, while Rashford was handed United’s clearest late opportunity.
The forward broke through on goal in the 76th minute but Steele denied him at the near post.
That was United’s first shot on target since Mount’s ninth-minute goal, underlining how dramatically the game had shifted.
Carrick left with major questions after Brighton defeat
-------------------------------------------------------
The manner of the defeat is difficult to ignore.
United had a two-goal advantage at Old Trafford and still failed to progress.
Sky Sports reports that it is the **first time in 50 years United have led 2-0 at home and gone on to lose**, having won 143 of the previous 145 matches in which they had established such a lead.
The result also continues a difficult domestic start for Carrick.
ReadManUtd’s latest Manchester United talking points had already highlighted several of the questions surrounding the squad before Brighton arrived.
There had also been debate around Carrick’s attacking choices, with Gary Lineker discussing Benjamin Sesko’s starting opportunities earlier in the day.
Those discussions will now be overshadowed by United’s failure to manage the game after such an impressive opening.
Lacey’s goal provided one major positive.
The 19-year-old showed composure and confidence on his full debut and strengthened his case for further senior opportunities.
But the overriding story is another damaging result.
United were two goals ahead inside ten minutes.
By the 69th minute, they were behind.
And their Carabao Cup campaign was over.