Carrick 'not bothered' as United surrender 2-0 lead in Carabao Cup exit at Old Trafford

Manchester United squandered a 2-0 lead to lose at Old Trafford to Brighton in a Carabao Cup third-round tie on Wednesday, the club's first home defeat after leading by two at Old Trafford in 50 years — the last time occurring when Sir Alex Ferguson was St Mirren manager.

Supporters had staged protests inside and outside the ground before Sunday's loss to 10-man Manchester City, and after this latest defeat many left during the players' lap of appreciation while others booed when United fell behind 21 minutes from time; approaching the tunnel, fans asked Michael Carrick and his players "what was that?". It is unclear where 15-year-old JJ Gabriel was during the reaction, and the suggested senior debut for Gabriel would likely have been scrapped given the match situation and the introduction of captain Bruno Fernandes among the experienced substitutes.

Carrick addressed the result and the wider run of form, saying: "Of course we can turn it around, we have got some really good players," and "It feels bad because we haven't had a great week or two, or three weeks." He added: "I don't feel under pressure," and: "Either way, that doesn't bother me one bit. I understand what goes on outside and how the world works, but it doesn't bother me. What bothers me is winning games, having a good feeling around the place and a good feeling around the group to know we're moving in a good direction."

United have won twice this season — against newly promoted Ipswich at home after falling behind, and Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK in the Champions League — and have now lost on three occasions, "more defeats than he experienced in 17 matches after replacing Ruben Amorim in January." Carrick said, "Being here toughens you up over a period of time," and reiterated results are the ultimate assessment for a manager: "We've gone out of the cup tonight, and the feeling around the place feels bigger than that. I'm honest enough to say that's how it feels. But it doesn't have to be like that. If we win football matches again, it can go in a different direction."

Shea Lacey provided the main positive, scoring a well-taken eighth-minute goal on his first senior start and becoming "the first teenager to score on his first United start since Marcus Rashford in February 2016." Lacey was one of eight changes made by Carrick, but his moment was largely lost amid the crowd reaction; Carrick said: "It's a shame that Shea's moment, such a great moment for him, for his family, his friends and the whole academy; to have an academy player come in and have a moment like that, gets a bit lost, unfortunately. It won't for him when things settle down but, as we sit here now, it feels that it was a long time ago."

Defensive alterations did not pay off: Diogo Dalot was one of only three players to keep his place but, the report says, "His form has deserted him." The article states Noussair Mazraoui is the back-up left-back, "which only heightens the debate over the wisdom not to buy one before the transfer window closed." Young defenders Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven "looked like the inexperienced defenders they are," and United's midfield were described as being overrun. Marcus Rashford continued to threaten without scoring or assisting, his best chance blocked when Jason Steele saved his shot after Rashford sped beyond the Brighton defence.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler summed up his side's performance: "The longer the game went, the more we had control," and "I thought we deserved to win." Carrick did not dispute that assessment, and he also commented on Gabriel's welfare: "He's a young boy, he's 15, and for me, definitely, and from a club point of view, looking after our younger players, their welfare, their wellbeing, their exposure, we've got to be really conscious of that in this situation."

Manchester United have one more game before the international break, at Fulham on Sunday, and the article notes: "For the general wellbeing of the club, Carrick's team really need to win." Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports: "Right now, they're miles off it," adding, "It doesn't matter how good the manager is, if you don't have the right players it makes it really difficult," and warning that "This weekend becomes a huge game. He doesn't need another poor result, otherwise all of a sudden you're going into the international break and everyone's talking about you. The winners tonight are the players who didn't play."