Manchester United hit a new low under Michael Carrick as they threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Brighton - and exit the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle for a second straight year. It is the first time in 50 years that United have held a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford and lost the game. They had won 143 out of the 145 previous times they had raced into such an advantage.
Yet it was all going to plan for Michael Carrick's side as they looked to respond to the Manchester derby defeat, as talented teen Shea Lacey and Mason Mount put them ahead after 10 minutes. But United began sleepwalking towards defeat - failing to register another shot on target until the 76th minute - and Brighton, who made six changes for this cup tie, took advantage. After Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one back on the stroke of half-time after questionable goalkeeping from Karl Darlow, the Seagulls struck twice in four second-half minutes through Pascal Gross and substitute Maxim De Cuyper to stun Old Trafford into silence.
Bruno Fernandes was then brought on as an emergency substitute, before Marcus Rashford missed a one-on-one chance to level the cup tie. This was not quite the second-round embarrassment at Grimsby that Ruben Amorim suffered last season, but Carrick now has a lot of questions his way as one of United's realistic trophy hopes disappears for another year. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 8: GOAL!
Lacey initially makes it a dream full United debut by skipping past two Brighton defenders before finding the near post 9: GOAL! Forty-three seconds after the restart, Mount makes it 2-0 after Jason Steele saved from Rashford. 36: BIG CHANCE! Brighton respond well after the early double deficit but Malick Yalcouye curls a one-on-one chance wide. 45+1: GOAL!
Kostoulas beats Karl Darlow to a long ball into the box and slots in a leveller, despite United complaints Benjamin Sesko had been fouled in the build-up. 65: GOAL! Gross converts from close range after Sesko headed the ball back to him after losing 50:50. 69: GOAL! Old Trafford is stunned as substitute Diego Gomez goes on lengthy run and crosses for De Cuyper, who finishes from close range. 76: HUGE CHANCE!
Marcus Rashford is played through on goal but his near-post finish is kept out by Steele. 84: TWO CHANCES! Brighton miss a double chance to seal the game as Kostoulas' effort is cleared off the line by Leny Yoro, before Gomez's shot is saved by Darlow. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m!
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