Tielemans slams United collapse as Brighton overturn two-goal deficit at Old Trafford

Manchester United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage on Wednesday, surrendering a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Brighton at Old Trafford, with captain-for-the-night Youri Tielemans admitting the collapse “shouldn’t happen”.

Shea Lacey and Mason Mount had United in command inside 10 minutes, but Brighton pulled one back on the stroke of half-time to shift the momentum. Pascal Groß and Maxim De Cuyper then scored in the second half to complete a stunning turnaround, sending the visitors through and leaving the home crowd furious.

The United players were booed off the pitch at full time, with supporters who remained chanting their displeasure as the squad headed to the dressing room.

Tielemans, wearing the captain’s armband for the first time since joining the club, was candid in his assessment. “I thought we started so positively. Started so well. And then, yeah, we conceded a goal before half-time,” he said. “We lost our stride a little bit, where it was too much on the back foot. And then we conceded two goals in the second half and we gave away that lead, which shouldn’t happen. So, yeah, it’s frustrating and disappointing.”

The Belgian midfielder acknowledged that United had executed their game plan well in the opening stages before losing their grip on the match. “We were on the front foot, winning duels, keeping the ball in their half, and then creating chances. Unfortunately, we couldn’t keep the pace up and, yeah, we got done.”

Despite the bittersweet nature of his first appearance as skipper, Tielemans insisted the squad must respond quickly. “It was a very proud moment. But, yeah, you don’t get the win in the end, so it’s disappointing,” he said, before calling on his teammates to regroup. “We need to be strong together as a team. We have a massive game on Sunday, Premier League game. We need to get back in it, to react, and to finish positively before the break.”

United travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Sunday before the September international break.