Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Michael Carrick had to revert to the playbook of Ruben Amorim in one way during Manchester United’s 3-2 defeat to Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Manchester United’s 2026-27 Carabao Cup campaign started and ended on the same day after the Red Devils failed to reach the fourth round of the competition.
The Seagulls arrived at Old Trafford for their midweek clash and Premier League side Brighton mounted a stunning comeback against Man Utd in their fixture.
United were leading Brighton 2-0 in the opening 10 minutes before Michael Carrick watched the Red Devils blow their advantage to Fabian Hurzeler’s men.
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Michael Carrick’s decision to use Mason Mount at left-back was the biggest throwback to Ruben Amorim at Man Utd
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick heavily rotated his Red Devils side for Wednesday evening’s Carabao Cup loss to Brighton at Old Trafford. Noussair Mazraoui was brought in at left-back and the 28-year-old went down in the 19th minute after a nasty collision with Brighton’s Joao Costinha.
Noussair Mazraoui received on-field treatment for a potential head injury before he was taken off the pitch temporarily for further medical evaluation by the staff. Carrick opted not to make an immediate change and instead allowed United to continue with 10 men against Brighton before Mazraoui returned to the pitch.
However, Mason Mount was ultimately ‘sacrificed’ during Mazraoui’s absence after the 27-year-old Man Utd No 7 had to shift to left-back to provide cover for his side. The former Chelsea star returned to the midfield role, but Carrick’s limitations echoed the problems that Ruben Amorim previously faced.
United legend Carrick was unwilling to roll the dice with teenager Harry Amass at left-back and Luke Shaw was still absent for the Red Devils due to his injury. Patrick Dorgu was also not part of the matchday squad for the third-round Carabao Cup defeat.
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Amorim, who was sacked as Man Utd manager in January, was forced to use Mount as a left wing-back in the Red Devils’ 3-1 defeat to Brentford in the 2025-26 season. The 41-year-old Portuguese coach’s decision to use Mount as a makeshift wing-back in the Premier League clash at the Gtech Community Stadium in September 2025 sparked major criticism.
“You can’t put Mason Mount at left wing-back,” Gary Neville said on Sky Sports’ The Gary Neville Podcast at the time.
“I’m sorry, it just can’t happen. I can’t… I can’t watch Mason Mount play left-wing back in a football team.
“I struggle at times to watch him in his position, but actually putting him out there on the left wing is just — or left-wing back — is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.”
The fact that Mount was even at left-back on Wednesday evening, even if it was temporary, was the most damning assessment of the defence across the last 12 months. From Amorim to Carrick, it showed Ineos’ biggest oversight in not securing an effective alternative at left-back for both managers during their respective United reigns.