SEO Title: Manchester United surrender two-goal lead against Brighton in League Cup
SEO Description: Manchester United were knocked out of the League Cup by Brighton after losing 3-2 at Old Trafford, despite leading by two goals inside 10 minutes.
At Old Trafford, a night that began with early promise ended in whistles and frustration as Manchester United let a two-goal advantage disappear against Brighton, losing 3-2 and departing the League Cup on Wednesday.
The news from the club
United surged ahead within the opening 10 minutes through quick goals from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount. Brighton, however, found a route back before the interval when Charalampos Kostoulas reduced the deficit.
The visitors completed their turnaround after the break. Pascal Gross brought Brighton level, before Maxim De Cuyper scored the goal that sent the south-coast side through and ended United’s cup campaign.
It is the second successive season in which United have exited the competition at its first stage. The final whistle was met by boos from the home support, with the result following Sunday’s defeat to city rivals Manchester City.
A difficult opening for Carrick
The loss was Manchester United’s third of the season and their second in consecutive matches, adding to the pressure around manager Michael Carrick.
United have won only two of their first six games in all competitions, with just one of those victories coming in the Premier League. Carrick had guided a revival last season that returned the club to the Champions League, but the momentum from that run has not carried into the new campaign.
For Brighton, the journey north produced a memorable recovery. For United, another early League Cup exit leaves Carrick facing a restless Old Trafford and an increasingly uneasy start to the season.
