Brighton shock Man United with 3-2 comeback win

By Tosin Omojola 

Manchester United suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exit at Old Trafford as Brighton overturned a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 and reach the last 16.

United head coach Michael Carrick introduced captain Bruno Fernandes with 18 minutes remaining after Brighton scored twice in four second-half minutes, but the change failed to alter the outcome.

United made a perfect start when highly rated youngster Shea Lacey marked his first senior start with a well-taken goal after eight minutes. Mason Mount doubled their lead two minutes later, firing in the rebound after Marcus Rashford’s effort was blocked.

Brighton pulled one back shortly before half-time through Charalampos Kostoulas, before captain Pascal Gross levelled after being left unmarked on the edge of the area. Gross turned onto a clearance from halfway and fired past Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow, making his United debut.

Four minutes later, Kostoulas turned provider, cutting the ball back for substitute Maxim de Cuyper to complete Brighton’s comeback.

Jason Steele denied Rashford an equaliser, while Darlow made a crucial save to prevent Diego Gomez adding a fourth as United struggled to respond.

It was the first time United had surrendered a two-goal home lead and lost since Tottenham beat them 3-2 in 1976. Brighton’s small travelling contingent celebrated in the corner of Old Trafford, while United supporters booed their team off.

The defeat deepened Carrick’s difficult spell following the heavy Manchester derby loss to 10-man City and news that 15-year-old academy prospect JJ Gabriel intended to leave. After their EFL Cup defeat by League Two side Grimsby last season and Brighton’s FA Cup triumph at Old Trafford in January, it marked United’s third consecutive domestic cup defeat.