Carrick takes blame after Manchester United surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Brighton and exit the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick took responsibility for his side’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, after Manchester United surrendered a two-goal lead to crash out of the Carabao Cup in the third round.

Also read: Raphinha Leads Europe’s Early Goals, Assists

Manchester United appeared firmly in control after Shea Lacey and Mason Mount scored inside the opening 10 minutes. Lacey opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Mount doubled the advantage shortly afterwards.

The early goals gave Michael Carrick’s side a commanding start, but Brighton gradually found a way back into the contest.

Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one goal back in first-half stoppage time, giving Fabian Hürzeler’s side renewed belief before the interval.

Brighton then completed a remarkable turnaround after the break. Pascal Groß equalised in the 65th minute before substitute Maxim De Cuyper scored four minutes later to put the visitors ahead.

Manchester United struggled to regain control after Brighton’s first goal. According to Sky Sports, Manchester United did not register another shot on target until the 76th minute, despite having established a 2-0 advantage early in the match.

Marcus Rashford later had an opportunity to level the match, but Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele kept out his effort as the visitors held on for a memorable victory.

The result marked the first time in 50 years that Manchester United had led 2-0 at Old Trafford and gone on to lose.

The previous occasion came in September 1976, when Tottenham Hotspur overturned a two-goal deficit against United.

For Manchester United, the defeat also meant another early Carabao Cup exit after the club failed to progress beyond the opening round of their campaign for a second consecutive season.

Carrick did not attempt to shift responsibility after the final whistle.

“We can’t accept that as a group. I take responsibility for it,” Carrick told Sky Sports. “The performance towards the end of the second half, that’s on me.”

The Manchester United manager acknowledged that the reaction from supporters was understandable after the collapse.

“I totally understand it for the way the game went. We have got to win games,” Carrick said.

The admission came after Manchester United supporters expressed their frustration at the final whistle, with boos greeting the players as they left the pitch.

Carrick’s side had been looking to respond to the disappointment of their recent Manchester derby defeat, but the Brighton result leaves the club with another setback early in the season.

The loss also removes another opportunity for Manchester United to challenge for domestic silverware. Brighton, meanwhile, advance to the fourth round, where they will face either Manchester City or Norwich City.

Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler praised his players for their response after falling two goals behind. Brighton had made six changes for the cup tie but still produced the decisive comeback at Old Trafford.

For Carrick, attention now turns quickly to the Premier League. The Manchester United manager said the team must respond in its next match rather than dwell on the Carabao Cup disappointment.

“We’ve got a big game on Sunday that we need to prepare for,” Carrick said. “We want to win, and we want to win quickly.”

The defeat leaves Manchester United facing difficult questions about their ability to maintain control of matches after promising starts.

Against Brighton, a two-goal advantage that had appeared comfortable ultimately disappeared within the space of the remaining 80 minutes.

Carrick’s decision to accept responsibility places the focus firmly on the response that follows.

Also read: Raphinha Leads Europe’s Early Goals, Assists

With the Carabao Cup campaign already over, Manchester United must now turn their attention to the league and attempt to convert the frustration of a painful Old Trafford collapse into a stronger performance in their next fixture.