Manchester United’s miserable week got worse on Wednesday night, as a two-goal lead at Old Trafford evaporated in a stunning collapse that saw Brighton & Hove Albion complete a 3-2 comeback win and dump United out of the Carabao Cup.
A Blistering Start for United
Michael Carrick’s much-changed side, fresh off a controversial derby defeat to Manchester City, flew out of the blocks. Nineteen-year-old Shea Lacey needed just eight minutes to open the scoring, taking the ball from Youri Tielemans inside the box and finishing beautifully into the near corner.
United doubled their advantage soon after when Brighton gave the ball away cheaply, sending Marcus Rashford clear. His initial effort was saved, but Mason Mount pounced on the rebound to make it 2-0 — his first goal of 2026.
Marcus Rashford
Brighton Claw One Back Before the Break
United dominated for long stretches of the first half, with Brighton struggling to create clear chances — Olivier Boscagli sent a long-range effort just over, Malick Yalcouyé fired wide after a promising break, and Pascal Gross lifted a close-range attempt over the bar. But the Seagulls found a way back into the match right before halftime.
Ayden Heaven misjudged a long ball, and with goalkeeper Karl Darlow hesitant to come off his line, the ball dropped to Charalampos Kostoulas. The Greek striker forced it home from a tight angle, pulling Brighton back to 2-1 heading into the break.
The Collapse
Whatever United said at halftime didn’t hold. They lost possession in their own half early in the second period, and Gross pounced to level the score at 2-2. Brighton struck again soon after — substitute Maxim de Cuyper latched onto a pass from Kostoulas and fired home from close range to put the visitors ahead, 2-3, to loud boos around Old Trafford.
Carrick threw on Bruno Fernandes in response, and United pushed hard for an equalizer. Rashford had the best chance of the closing stages but couldn’t beat goalkeeper Jason Steele in a one-on-one situation. Brighton held on to seal one of the more memorable results of this season’s competition.
A Historic Night for the Wrong Reasons
The defeat marks the first time United have lost a home match after leading by two goals in what’s being reported as either 42 or 50 years, depending on the source — with one figure tracing back to a 2-1 defeat to Ipswich in May 1984, and another pointing to November 1976. Either way, it’s a record that had stood for decades, making Wednesday’s collapse especially painful for the home crowd, who booed loudly as the final whistle confirmed the upset.
United have won the League Cup six times, most recently in 2023, but their run in this year’s competition ends in the third round. Brighton, meanwhile, continue their pursuit of a first major trophy in the club’s history.
Other Storylines at Old Trafford
Lacey’s performance was one of the few bright spots for United on the night. Fellow academy prospect JJ Gabriel, a highly rated 15-year-old, was expected to feature but was left out of the squad entirely — the youngster has reportedly asked to leave the club following a breakdown in relations between his family and United’s staff.
