Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Old Trafford
F. Hallam
2026/2027
Match Report
Manchester Utd raced into dreamland at Old Trafford but ended up making a costly early exit, going down 2-3 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round. The standout moment was just how quickly it all seemed won and then lost, as a two-goal cushion evaporated in the second half.
Shea Lacey (7') and Mason Mount (9') had the hosts flying inside the first ten minutes, only for Charalampos Kostoulas to pull one back right before the break. Pascal Groß (64') leveled things up, and Maxim De Cuyper (69') completed the turnaround. There were no red cards, though yellows for Chema Andrés, Jaouen Hadjam, and De Cuyper hinted at how feisty things got.
For Brighton, it's a gutsy statement result that sends them into the fourth round despite a stretched squad. For Manchester Utd, Michael Carrick's rotation gamble backfired, exposing familiar defensive frailties on home turf.
Match Events
8'
10'
43'
C. Andres(Foul)
45+1'
59'
J. Hadjam(Holding)
65'
66'
66'
66'
66'
69'
73'
74'
74'
80'
82'
85'
Y. Ayari(Foul)
90+1'
M. De Cuyper(Unsportsmanlike conduct)
8'
10'
43'
C. Andres(Foul)
45+1'
59'
J. Hadjam(Holding)
65'
66'
66'
66'
69'
73'
74'
74'
80'
82'
85'
Y. Ayari(Foul)
90+1'
M. De Cuyper(Unsportsmanlike conduct)
Statistics
50%Possession50%
11Shots18
4Shots on Target5
4Corners3
5Fouls14
0Offsides2
0Yellow Cards4
528Passes532
2Saves2
Head to Head
17
Manchester United wins
3
Draws
11
Brighton & Hove Albion wins
Goals: 51 - 35
