Carrick accepts blame as Manchester United lose 3-2 to Brighton in Carabao Cup at Old Trafford

On 17 September 2026 at Old Trafford, Manchester United surrendered a two-goal lead and were beaten 3-2 by Brighton in the Carabao Cup, with manager Michael Carrick accepting responsibility for the collapse.

United appeared to have the tie under control after academy graduate Shea Lacey and Mason Mount scored inside the opening 10 minutes, but the Old Trafford crowd voiced its frustration as the match slipped away. “We had the game exactly where we wanted it and let it get away from us in a big way,” Carrick told Sky Sports. “We can’t accept that as a group. I take responsibility for it.”

Brighton began their recovery before half-time when Charalampos Kostoulas reduced the deficit, and the visitors completed the turnaround after the interval. Pascal Gross levelled in the 65th minute and Maxim De Cuyper put Brighton ahead four minutes later, leaving the final score 3-2 to the visitors.

The defeat represents Manchester United’s elimination from the League Cup in the opening round for a second consecutive season. Last year they were beaten by fourth-tier Grimsby, a shock loss that came under Ruben Amorim, with Carrick having taken charge after replacing the Portuguese coach in January.

The result compounds a difficult start to Carrick’s campaign: United have won only two of their first six matches in all competitions and registered just one victory in the Premier League. “It doesn’t feel good at the moment, let me tell you,” Carrick added. “But we can get back to winning football matches and we’ve got to do a lot of things better.”

Marcus Rashford had a chance to change the outcome when he ran through on goal but he was unable to beat Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele in a one-on-one. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler praised his side’s response after falling two goals behind.

“I totally understand the feelings of the supporters. We have to accept it. I totally accept it. It’s on me ultimately, as a team, what we look like, how we play and what results you get,” Carrick said. United now head to a Premier League trip to winless Fulham on Sunday before the first international break of the season.