Manchester United exit League Cup after rare home collapse

Manchester United are out of the League Cup after surrendering a two-goal advantage at Old Trafford, extending a difficult start under Michael Carrick. The defeat was the club’s first home loss from a two-goal lead since September 1976, when Tottenham overturned the same deficit to win 3-2.

United appeared in control after Shea Lacey scored in the eighth minute and Mason Mount added another two minutes later. Brighton reduced the gap just before half-time through Charalampos Kostoulas, then completed the comeback after the break. Pascal Gross equalised in the 65th minute, and Maxim De Cuyper struck four minutes later to send Brighton into the last 16.

The result adds to United’s problems across competitions. They had already lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the Premier League earlier in the week and sit 13th after taking only one victory from four league matches. Their latest elimination is also a third consecutive defeat in domestic cup competition, following last season’s League Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby Town on penalties and a 2-1 home loss to Brighton in the FA Cup in January.

Carrick said he bore full responsibility, particularly for the way United handled the closing stages. The defeat leaves Brighton progressing while United face another early cup exit and continued pressure after their fast start collapsed.