Carrick: United ‘can’t accept’ performance in Carabao Cup collapse
Carrick: United 'can't accept' performance in Carabao Cup collapse. Skip to main content Skip to navigation Carrick: 'We can't accept' Carabao exit performance1hRob DawsonSources: Union's Sullivan, 16, set for first USMNT call-up6hJeff CarlisleMan United will be 'careful' with Gabriel future28mESPN News ServicesMbappé explains obscuring Ceuta shirt amid backlash in Spain3hAlex KirklandPulisic subs on as Milan humbled by Benfica in Europa League3hESPN News ServicesHot Seat Index: Which Premier League managers will be fired first?
What happened
Michael Carrick branded Manchester United's capitulation as unacceptable, after watching his team lose 3-2 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup after leading 2-0. 2dTom HamiltonLiverpool can't take Mac Allister and Gakpo for granted — they're still match winners1dBeth LindopGreek flags and Grand Finals: Why Melbourne Victory feels like home for Giovanni Savarese21hJoey LynchManchester derby defined by VAR drama; Real Madrid booed; Chelsea bullied by Hull2dGabriele MarcottiMLS Power Rankings: Chicago's slide continues as Nashville cements top spot2dMegan SwanickNWSL Power Rankings: Gotham FC rise to the top as Spirit slip3dJenna PelplayDawson: Man Utd still hope to keep JJ Gabriel at the club (1:19)Rob DawsonSep 16, 2026, 06:50 PM ETMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMANCHESTER, England — Michael Carrick branded Manchester United's capitulation as unacceptable, after watching his team lose 3-2 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup after leading 2-0.
Manchester United 2 S Lacey (8'8th minute) M Mount (10'10th minute) Brighton and Hove Albion 3 C Kostoulas (45+1'46th minute) P Groß (65'65th minute) M De Cuyper (69'69th minute) Watch match highlights Close Latest Carabao Cup Odds Get Sky SportsGet a NOW Sports Membership Watch Live Man Utd 2-3 Brighton: Michael Carrick's side collapse from 2-0 up to exit Carabao Cup at the first hurdle once again Report and free match highlights as Manchester United throw away a two-goal lead to exit the Carabao Cup; Shea Lacey and Mason Mount put Michael Carrick's side 2-0 up inside 10 minutes; Charampalos Kostoulas, Pascal Gross and Maxim De Cuyper turned the cup tie on its head Sam Blitz Football Journalist @SamBIitz Thursday 17 September 2026 00:02, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights from the third round of the Carabao Cup match between Manchester United and Brighton Manchester United hit a new low under Michael Carrick as they threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Brighton – and exit the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle for a second straight year.
Carrick: We can't accept that Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Michael Carrick responds to the Old Trafford boos after Manchester United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton. 2dRyan O'HanlonMan United hit crisis point under Carrick after collapse against Brighton40mRob DawsonSoccer should learn from the NFL to fix the mess that VAR has created11hMark OgdenManchester derby mess shows VAR's quest for perfection is doomed to fail3dMark OgdenFurious fans, peeved parents and side gigs: Why would anyone want to be a ref?
Skip to content Analysis Man Utd 2-3 Brighton: Michael Carrick's Old Trafford tenure is only heading in one direction as Red Devils face familiar story Man Utd crashed out of the Carabao Cup, surrendering a two-goal lead against Brighton to lose 3-2 at Old Trafford; it is the first time in 145 attempts where United have held a two-goal lead at Old Trafford and lost, ramping up the pressure on head coach Michael Carrick Sam Blitz Football Journalist @SamBIitz Thursday 17 September 2026 00:04, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Jamie Redknapp rips into Manchester United for the way they defended in their 3-2 loss to Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round.
"United have now won just two of their six games in all competitions to start the season and sit 13th in the Premier League table with four points. – Barcelona, Real Madrid monitoring JJ Gabriel situation at Man United – sources – Enzo Maresca on Manchester derby VAR drama: Man City still waiting on apology for 2023 incident – As it happened: Carrick's men squander two-goal lead as Seagulls reach fourth roundThe players were booed off following the defeat to Brighton, but Carrick rejected the suggestion his position could already be under threat.
The wider picture
Carrick's team led 2-0 against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday and somehow conspired to lose 3-2. What followed was a limp and lifeless second-half performance from United, and Brighton equalized through Pascal Gross. Skip to content Manchester United vs Brighton and Hove Albion; Carabao Cup Round 3 FTFull Time AETAfter Extra Time LIVEThis is a live match. This was not quite the second-round embarrassment at Grimsby that Ruben Amorim suffered last season, but Carrick now has a lot of questions coming his way as one of United's realistic trophy hopes disappears for another year.
Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick to Sky Sports:"We can't accept that as a group. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Jamie Redknapp rips into Manchester United for the way they defended in their 3-2 loss to Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round. I can't remember the last time United won a game in which there was a win and good performance. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights from the third round of the Carabao Cup match between Manchester United and Brighton.
What has been reported
Even Pascal Gross scoring the equaliser at Old Trafford brought back memories of how he netted twice at United's home in August 2022 to put Erik ten Hag's tenure on the back foot, in the same way Carrick is facing an uphill battle now. "Many can point towards the nine changes Carrick made, with many of United's players coming into the team after weeks on the Premier League bench. Image: Michael Carrick looks on glumly as his Manchester United side were beaten by Brighton "The inexperience of the two young centre-backs definitely showed," said Redknapp.
By the time they approached the tunnel, close to United's 'singing section', supporters were asking Michael Carrick and his players 'what was that? '. Fleetwood Town 1 R Norrington-Davies (57'57th minute ogown goal) Sheffield United 0 Watch match highlights Close Latest Carabao Cup Odds Get Sky SportsGet a NOW Sports Membership Watch Live Fleetwood 1-0 Sheffield United: Rhys Norrington-Davies own goal sees League Two side book last-16 tie with Arsenal Report and free match highlights from the Carabao Cup third round tie between Fleetwood and Sheffield United at Highbury; Fleetwood earn fourth-round tie against Arsenal Wednesday 16 September 2026 23:00, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights from the Carabao Cup round three clash between Fleetwood and Sheffield United Rhys Norrington-Davies' horror own goal sent Fleetwood into the last 16 of the Carabao Cup for the first time as the League Two side stunned Championship Sheffield United 1-0 at Highbury.
There was an errorDominic Calvert-Lewin stars as Leeds United go third in the Premier League with a superb performance to inflict a heavy 4-1 defeat on Newcastle United at Elland Road. United were dumped out despite goals from 19-year-old Shea Lacey and Mason Mount in the opening 10 minutes on Wednesday. The performance towards the end of the second half, that's on me.
What happens next
United's players attempted to applaud the fans at the final whistle, but were engulfed by boos as they slowly lapped the pitch. ""I totally understand the feelings of the supporters," said Carrick after the match. "There are certain results which haunt United managers. Ruben Amorim will forever be remembered for the UEFA Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and the Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town. Carrick can only hope that this doesn't stick in the memory in the same way.
Playing one match a week during the second half of last season, United won 12 of the 17 games to climb to third in the Premier League table and secure a return to the UEFA Champions League. For the first time, Carrick is under real pressure.
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across espn.com, skysports.com. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.