Manchester United suffered another night of domestic cup misery at Old Trafford as Brighton produced a stunning comeback to overturn a two-goal deficit and dump Michael Carrick’s side out of the Carabao Cup.
United appeared to be cruising after racing into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes, but Brighton responded with three unanswered goals to complete a remarkable 3-2 comeback and book their place in the last 16.
The defeat piles further pressure on Carrick, whose side were still smarting from their heavy Manchester derby loss to 10-man Manchester City.
It also marked the first time United had surrendered a two-goal lead at home to lose since Tottenham beat them 3-2 in 1976.
Lacey, Mount Fire United Ahead
United made a blistering start, with highly rated youngster Shea Lacey celebrating his first senior start by firing his side ahead after just eight minutes.
The hosts doubled their advantage only two minutes later when Mason Mount pounced on the rebound after Marcus Rashford’s effort had been blocked.
At 2-0 down inside 10 minutes, Brighton looked to be facing a long night at Old Trafford.
Instead, the visitors launched a stunning fightback.
Charalampos Kostoulas reduced the deficit shortly before half-time, giving Brighton renewed belief heading into the interval.
United’s advantage then disappeared when Brighton captain Pascal Gross found himself unmarked on the edge of the area. Gross had time to control a clearance from halfway, turn and fire beyond Karl Darlow, who was making his United debut, to make it 2-2.
Brighton Complete Stunning Comeback
Just four minutes after Gross’s equaliser, Brighton struck again.
Kostoulas turned provider, cutting the ball back for substitute Maxim de Cuyper, who calmly finished to complete Brighton’s extraordinary turnaround.
With United suddenly staring at elimination, Carrick was forced into desperate action, bringing captain Bruno Fernandes off the bench with 18 minutes remaining in an attempt to rescue the tie.
But Brighton held firm.
Jason Steele produced a crucial save to deny Rashford an equaliser, while Darlow had to intervene at the other end to prevent Diego Gomez from adding a fourth for the visitors.
At the final whistle, Brighton’s small but jubilant travelling support erupted in celebration in one corner of Old Trafford, while boos greeted United’s players from the home stands.
The defeat means United have now suffered three successive domestic cup exits, following last season’s humiliating EFL Cup defeat at League Two Grimsby and Brighton’s FA Cup victory at Old Trafford in January.
For Carrick, the latest setback comes at a particularly painful moment, with United struggling to find stability both on and off the pitch.
