Brighton complete stunning comeback at Old Trafford to knock United out of the cup

Brighton overturned a two-goal deficit at Old Trafford to eliminate Manchester United from the cup, completing a remarkable comeback that sparked a chorus of boos from the home support and intensified scrutiny on manager Michael Carrick.

United had appeared to be cruising when academy graduate Shea Leacey marked his first start with a composed finish after just eight minutes, before Mason Mount doubled the lead two minutes later. It was the platform for a comfortable evening — but United never built on it.

Brighton grew into the game as United dropped deeper and became increasingly passive. The visitors pulled one back in first-half injury time when Jaouen Hadjam’s diagonal ball split the United defence and Charalampos Kostoulas fired low past goalkeeper Karl Darlow. The tie had been reopened.

The equaliser arrived when Diogo Dalot’s clearance was headed straight back by Luka Vuskovic, the ball falling to Pascal Gross. The Brighton forward sidestepped Lenny Yoro and slotted calmly past Darlow to level. United’s defending had been, at times, kamikaze — Yoro exposed, and Ayden Heaven visibly struggling.

Brighton completed the turnaround when Kostoulas broke down the right side of the box and pulled the ball back for Maxim De Cuyper, who finished to put Fabian Hurzeler’s side in front. Old Trafford erupted in frustration.

The defeat is United’s first time conceding a two-goal lead in 146 matches, and it extends a wretched record against Brighton at home — five wins from six visits to Old Trafford for the Seagulls, including an FA Cup exit last season.

For Carrick, the timing is damaging. He guided United back into the Champions League last season and was rewarded with the permanent job, but a sloppy start to the Premier League campaign — including a derby defeat to City — combined with this cup exit raises questions about whether the club moved too quickly in appointing a club legend with limited managerial experience. Passion and history, as the evening showed, have their limits.