Sports 10 sources · over 2 days Latest coverage 16 Sept 2026, 10:16 pm UTC

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

  1. Manchester United hosted Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round at Old Trafford.
  2. United took a 2-0 lead within the first ten minutes of the match.
  3. Brighton responded by scoring three unanswered goals to win 3-2 and advance to the last 16.
  4. Loud boos from home fans greeted the final whistle as United suffered another disappointing result.
  5. Streaming options for the match included ITVX, with some platforms offering free access via VPN.
Manchester United Crash Out of Carabao Cup After Brighton's Stunning Comeback
Source: BBC - Home

Timeline · 5 moments

5 moments Open the full timeline →

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 ↗

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.

Written from 10 outlets' coverage of this story. Every timeline entry links to the original report.

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