United collapse from two goals up to lose to Brighton as Carrick pressure mounts

Manchester United suffered one of their most embarrassing results in decades at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, throwing away a two-goal lead to lose to Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round — the first time they have lost at home after leading by two since 1976.

The collapse drew an immediate and furious reaction from supporters in the Stretford End, who chanted “What the f** hell was that?” as the players trudged back to the dressing room. Brighton’s travelling fans twisted the knife with chants of “2-0 and you f*** it up” after the final whistle.

The defeat is the latest in a difficult early run for manager Michael Carrick, who has won just two of his first six competitive games across all competitions. While Carrick retains goodwill from guiding United to a third-place Premier League finish last season, the results are beginning to erode that credit.

Carrick addressed the run of poor form in his post-match press conference, pointing to a series of fine margins that have gone against his side. “A couple of smallish things have ended up accumulating into [this],” he said. “If you go to the Everton last-minute goal, to the City goal, then it creates a bit of a feeling. We can’t put ourselves in that position after being ahead in the game and the game finishing like it did.”

There is substance to his argument about margins, but the pattern of poor in-game management is harder to dismiss. The late draw at Everton came after United failed to see out a lead on two separate occasions. The Manchester derby defeat followed a similar script — United lost composure after Erling Haaland’s equaliser, and questions remain over why Benjamin Sesko was not introduced at half-time when the game was still level.

Against Brighton, the same defensive fragility was on show. United have now conceded 10 goals in their opening weeks of the season, and the back line has looked disorganised throughout. Carrick’s side also created little against City, managing just two shots on target and an xG of 0.54 before stoppage time, when Bryan Mbeumo spurned a clear chance.

The pressure on Carrick is real and rising. Managing Manchester United has never been a comfortable position, but a record of two wins from six, a dressing-room atmosphere that is visibly fraying, and a fanbase that is openly questioning the direction of the club represents a familiar and dangerous combination at Old Trafford.