Manchester United v Brighton preview: Carabao Cup third round team news and prediction

Manchester United will host Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on September 16 in the third round of the Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) 2026-27, with Michael Carrick’s side preparing for the tie and Fabian Hürzeler leading the visitors.

United arrive at Old Trafford after a 0-1 defeat to Manchester City in their most recent Premier League match; City played much of that game with ten men and the Red Devils failed to score, with their finishing described in the source as lacking. This fixture represents Manchester United’s first appearance in the EFL Cup this season and is being staged at Old Trafford.

Brighton come into the tie on the back of a 5-0 league win over Coventry City and, according to the source, have scored 17 goals across their last five matches. The Seagulls are described as adopting an attack-oriented approach but have been inconsistent defensively; they will aim to keep their backline tight at the Theatre of Dreams.

Kobbie Mainoo, the 21-year-old Englishman, was singled out for a consistent performance in United’s 0-1 loss to Manchester City, with his all-around contributions and work rate noted; the preview says he will again play an important role by breaking up Brighton’s play.

Pascal Gross, identified in the source as 35 years old, was Brighton’s standout performer in the Coventry win, converting a penalty and providing two assists, and the article states he will look to step up again for the visitors.

Manchester United are missing Amad, Manuel Ugarte, Carlos Baleba, Matthijs de Ligt and Tom Heaton through injury, while Luke Shaw "might also have to sit out due to physical discomfort," according to the source. Brighton’s list of absentees in the preview includes Zadok Yohanna, Yankuba Minteh, Stefanos Tzimas, Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, Jack Hinshelwood, Mats Wieffer and Michael Svoboda; Georginio Rutter and Femi Azeez are noted as potential non-starters because of a lack of fitness.

The preview supplies probable XIs and projects a close game. Manchester United (probable): Darlow (GK); Mazraoui, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu; Mainoo, Santos; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Sesko. Brighton (probable): Verbruggen (GK); Kadioglu, Vuskovic, Dunk, Boscagli; Gross, Ayari; Gomez, Yalcouye, De Cuyper; Kostoulas. The article observes that United will have a slight edge at Old Trafford but warns Brighton can cause problems, and it predicts a 3-2 win for Manchester United.

The Carabao Cup third-round tie will be played at Old Trafford on September 16. UK broadcast arrangements listed in the source are Sky Sports, Sky Sports+ and ITV; the FanCode app and website are named as platforms to watch the games live.