The first 10 minutes of Manchester United’s League Cup tie with Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford were electric. The good kind of electric.
By the time the match ended, Michael Carrick’s men had tossed aside a 2-0 lead and exited to the tournament by a 3-2 score to the Seagulls.
MORE — Is Carrick already on the hot seat?
Things are not going well in Manchester.
Shea Lacey and Mason Mount gave the Red Devils a 2-0 lead and — seemingly — a foothold in the fourth round of League Cup.
And what a goal it was for Lacey:
SHEA LACEY'S FIRST SENIOR GOAL FOR MANCHESTER UNITED IS A GOLAZO 😱
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 16, 2026
Don't miss the Carabao Cup on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/7HRyuKyUv0
But Charalampos Kostoulas scored in first-half stoppage time, Pascal Gross equalized in the 65th minute, and Maxim De Cuyper gave Brighton its first lead in the 70th.
Both teams did plenty of rotation from the weekend, with Carrick handing rare starts to backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow and center back Leny Yoro in addition to Mount and Lacey.
United were out-attempted in both halves, and Carrick brought on several big names when the score hit 2-2 including Kobbie Mainoo and Bryan Mbeumo, then adding Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha to the pitch when De Cuyper put the Seagulls in front of the hosts.
League Cup: Manchester United vs Brighton video highlights
TWO GOALS IN TWO MINUTES 🤯
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 16, 2026
A nightmare start for Brighton as Mason Mount scores Manchester United's second 🔥
Don't miss the Carabao Cup on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/urKaY784WQ
Just LOOK at that pass 🚀
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 16, 2026
Charalampos Kostoulas finishes it off to pull one back for Brighton 👏
Watch the Carabao Cup on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/qekILrLdiH
Pascal Groß capitalizes on Manchester United's error and it is all level 😬
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 16, 2026
Don't miss the Carabao Cup on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/OUp46tM5g2
COMEBACK COMPLETE 😱
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 16, 2026
In the space of five minutes Brighton go ahead against Manchester United through Maxim De Cuyper 🔥
Don't miss the Carabao Cup on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/rQhTGUkVdf
