Manchester United Crash Out of Carabao Cup After Brighton's Stunning Comeback
Manchester United were eliminated from the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford after losing a two-goal lead against Brighton, raising pressure on the club and manager Michael Carrick.
By Priya Raghunathan · First published 16 Sept 2026
In brief
- Manchester United lost 3-2 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford despite leading 2-0 early in the match.
- This was the first time since 1976 that United lost at home after taking a two-goal lead.
- Brighton advance to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup following their dramatic comeback victory.
- Manager Michael Carrick accepted responsibility for the defeat and acknowledged the team must improve quickly.
- The loss increases pressure on Carrick as United's disappointing run of results continues.
Timeline · 6 moments
Manchester United lose 2-3 to Brighton after leading by two goals
BBC - Home ↗Fans seek free online streaming options for the Carabao Cup match
Mashable Tech ↗Live radio and text commentary provided for Manchester United vs Brighton
BBC - Home ↗Manchester United suffer collapse and are knocked out of the Carabao Cup
L'Équipe ↗Brighton complete comeback to win 3-2 at Old Trafford
Sky Sports ↗Carrick accepts blame and calls for improvement
The42 ↗Update 17 Sept 2026, 9:58 am UTC
New coverage highlights that this was the first time in 50 years Manchester United lost at Old Trafford after leading by two goals. Michael Carrick publicly accepted blame for the defeat and stressed the team's need to improve quickly.
How it started
Manchester United entered the Carabao Cup third round hoping to turn around a poor start to their season. The match was hosted at Old Trafford, adding extra significance as the team looked for a strong home performance. Brighton arrived in good form, having scored heavily in recent league games. Interest was high among fans, with many searching for ways to watch the game live and online.
How it unfolded
On September 16, 2026, Manchester United took early control, racing to a 2-0 lead within the first ten minutes. The fast start raised expectations that United would progress comfortably to the next round.
However, Brighton quickly regrouped and began to apply pressure. By halftime, the visitors had pulled a goal back, signaling a shift in momentum. In the second half, Brighton completed their comeback, scoring two more goals to overturn the deficit.
The final score was 3-2 in Brighton's favor. Manchester United's collapse was met with loud boos from the home crowd, reflecting growing frustration with the team's form. The result marked another setback for Michael Carrick, whose position as head coach has come under scrutiny after a string of poor results.
Where it stands
Manchester United are out of the Carabao Cup, eliminated at home after losing to Brighton. This defeat adds to the pressure on the team and manager Michael Carrick, following a series of disappointing performances. Brighton advance to the last 16 of the tournament, while United must regroup and focus on their remaining fixtures.
What to watch
Attention now turns to Manchester United's response, both on the pitch and in terms of management decisions. Supporters and pundits will be watching closely to see if the club makes changes or sticks with Carrick as the season continues.


