This wasn’t just a defeat. This wasn’t just a collapse. This wasn’t just a cup exit. Another Manchester United managerial project is heading in that one, same direction. And even Michael Carrick recognises that.
“We’ve gone out of the cup and the feeling around the place feels bigger than that,” he said. “I’m happy enough to be honest about that. That’s how it feels.”
It’s a story that’s been seen before. A dismal Carabao Cup experience at the first hurdle – this time throwing away a 2-0 lead to exit to Brighton – harks back to memories of Ruben Amorim’s disappointing defeat at Grimsby last year, which helped signal the beginning of the end.
A cup exit to the Seagulls was also reminiscent of the FA Cup defeat United suffered to Fabian Hurzeler’s side at the start of the year. That was the last match before Carrick returned to the club and sparked a mini-revival. Now it seems like United are back to square one again.
Even Pascal Gross scoring the equaliser at Old Trafford brought back memories of how he netted twice at United’s home in August 2022 to put Erik ten Hag’s tenure on the back foot, in the same way Carrick is facing an uphill battle now.
Gross still doing the business four years later is a great testament to the German’s longevity at 35 years old – but it’s an even more damning reflection of United’s lack of progression in that time.
Since that match in 2022, which came 1,502 days ago, Gross has secured European football for Brighton, left the club for Borussia Dortmund, rejoined the Seagulls, got them back into Europe, watched on as United spent £365m on seven new central midfielders – and still he stood tall above the United midfield.
Brighton’s Pascal Gross, right, celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal
Around £140m of that pot started for United against Brighton in Youri Tielemans, Mason Mount and Andrey Santos, while a further £70m in Carlos Baleba watched on from the stands as his old club beat his new one. What must he be thinking?
Just like against Hull on the opening weekend of the season, United were outfought by Brighton. “They didn’t look fit enough,” said Jamie Redknapp. “I don’t know if a lot of them do enough. I saw too many players not running back or not looking fit enough.”
Many can point towards the nine changes Carrick made, with many of United’s players coming into the team after weeks on the Premier League bench. But Brighton also made six changes to their regular line-up, including first starts for the club to four summer signings. What was their excuse?
Once again, the lack of investment in the defensive positions during the transfer market was very clear. The warnings about not addressing that position were there – and a big reason for Brighton turning the game on its head was the defensive displays of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven.
Michael Carrick looks on glumly as his Manchester United side were beaten by Brighton
“The inexperience of the two young centre-backs definitely showed,” said Redknapp. “The pair of them were just inept in everything they did. If you look at Luka Vuskovic, who is 18 or 19, at this level he has aggression, winning challenges, recovery runs.
“And you looked at the two who played at United who played like everything was easy, making bad decisions – there was a difference in Brighton’s defending when it came to going about their business.”
The difference was seen in the second goal, as Vuskovic won a header ahead of Benjamin Sesko and the ball ran straight through the heart of the United defence for Gross to score easily.
Heaven was caught on his heels and failed to come across. “He doesn’t anticipate the danger. Sprint, get to the penalty spot. But he’s jogging.
“And Yoro, what kind of an effort is that to stop the shot? How easy was that? This isn’t a five-a-side competition.”
And for the third goal, Yoro was caught jogging back again as Brighton broke to score – not only highlighting Redknapp’s defensive concerns about United, but their fitness ones too. “You’ve got to sprint Leny,” he said. “He’s jogging. If he sprints, he gets back and makes that block.”
But while United are making familiar mistakes, they are still making unwanted history.
Michael Carrick responds to the Old Trafford boos after Manchester United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton.
Not only was this the first time in 50 years that an opposition team has won at Old Trafford having been 2-0 down in the game, but it was the first time United have lost at home after holding a half-time lead in 551 half-time leads.
The time before the defeat to Brighton came in 1984, which pre-dated Sir Alex Ferguson’s time at the club. Throw in a joint-worst start to a Premier League season after four games and the pressure is really growing on Carrick.
United’s only win so far this season has been a 5-2 win over Ipswich that saw United struggle for the best part of an hour. And while there have been some mitigating factors – worldies at Everton and a contentious Manchester derby winner – there have been too many of those to be one-offs already.
Sunday 20th September 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
It all sets up a massive Super Sunday game this weekend away at winless Fulham, facing their own early woes under Alvaro Arbeloa. What follows is a three-week international break which is prime time for an early managerial change.
A win at Craven Cottage buys Carrick time. Defeat and it will be a long period of questions.
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