Anyone can stumble in a crucial match, such as the high-stakes derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford, but what matters is how quickly you get back on your feet. Manchester United seemed capable of doing so on Wednesday night against Brighton and Hove Albion in the League Cup, before the Red Devils took a U-turn and went straight into the abyss!Despite being 2-0 up in the opening seconds of the first-half stoppage time, the hosts conceded three goals to suffer another painful defeat at their ground, 2-3!Michael Carrick shook up the starting XI, a bold move that paid off handsomely as the Red Devils surged to a 2-0 lead with an electrifying early assault.United academy graduate Shea Lacey ensured his senior debut sparkled, breaking the deadlock in the eighth minute with a determined strike. He collected the ball on the right side of the penalty area and coolly tucked it into the bottom corner.##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🏴 | GOAL: WHAT A GOLAZO BY SHEA LACEY!<br><br>HE SCORES IN HIS SENIOR DEBUT! WOW!<br><br>Manchester United 1-0 Brighton: <a href="https://t.co/9uZ7BCKjob">pic.twitter.com/9uZ7BCKjob</a></p>— TheGoalsZone (@TheGoalsZone) <a href="https://x.com/TheGoalsZone/status/2100301043498156440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##Only two minutes later, Mason Mount doubled the advantage with a crisp volley, as United's early onslaught overwhelmed the unsteady Seagulls.At that point, it looked as if the Red Devils had rebounded from a derby defeat, but how wrong were we… ##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🏴 | GOAL: MASON MOUNT DOUBLES THE LEAD FOR MANCHESTER UNITED!<br><br>Manchester United 2-0 Brighton: <a href="https://t.co/uWbwMjwGcL">pic.twitter.com/uWbwMjwGcL</a></p>— TheGoalsZone (@TheGoalsZone) <a href="https://x.com/TheGoalsZone/status/2100301478841729204?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##Unbelievably, Carrick's side fell into familiar traps, especially in midfield, struggling to dictate tempo and possession. This lapse proved costly at the worst possible moment: first-half stoppage time.Sesko surrendered possession, allowing Jaouen Hadjam to deliver a pinpoint cross to Charalampos Kostoulas at the far post. Kostoulas seized the moment, taking advantage of both the flawless pass and United keeper Karl Darlow's hesitation.##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🏴 | GOAL: CHARALAMPOS KOSTOULAS PULLS ONE BACK FOR BRIGHTON!<br><br>WHAT AN INSANE PASS BY JAOUEN HADJAM!<br><br>Manchester United 2-1 Brighton. <a href="https://t.co/FvZsuOSsa4">pic.twitter.com/FvZsuOSsa4</a></p>— TheGoalsZone (@TheGoalsZone) <a href="https://x.com/TheGoalsZone/status/2100310561552515074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##That was just the beginning of United's further downfall, as the tables turned completely after the break. The visitors sensed the fear in the opponent's eyes and exploited it to the fullest. Gross made fun of United's defence to restore a stalemate shortly after the hour mark, before De Cuyper sealed the amazing comeback and triumph.##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🏴 | GOAL: PASCAL GROSS HAS EQUALIZED FOR BIRGHTON!<br><br>FROM 2-0 TO 2-2! WOW!<br><br>Manchester United 2-2 Brighton. <a href="https://t.co/IZVzOv87Fm">pic.twitter.com/IZVzOv87Fm</a></p>— TheGoalsZone (@TheGoalsZone) <a href="https://x.com/TheGoalsZone/status/2100320670714408986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>####TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🏴 | GOAL: MAXIM DE CUYPER SEALS THE COMEBACK FOR BRIGHTON! INCREDIBLE!<br><br>FROM 2-0 TO 2-3! WHAT A COMEBACK!<br><br>Manchester United 2-3 Brighton. <a href="https://t.co/R6zYPLlNvB">pic.twitter.com/R6zYPLlNvB</a></p>— TheGoalsZone (@TheGoalsZone) <a href="https://x.com/TheGoalsZone/status/2100321490017103963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##The look on Michael Carrick's face in those moments perfectly summed up the story of the contemporary Manchester United – gutted, clueless, and without response to the ongoing crisis. He tried everything with Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee – who all came on in the last quarter of the game – but it stayed 2-3 for another tragic reality check at the Theatre of Dreams.EFL CUPRound 3TuesdayPeterborough – Barnsley 7-6 on penalties (3-3)/Leonard 19, Ormerod 27, 88 – McGeehan 1, Cleary 40, 74/West Ham – Fulham 2-3 (2-2)/Morato 16, Felipe 45+2 – Muniz 13, Palacios 37, Bobb 78/Ipswich – Arsenal 2-4 (0-2)/Mehmeti 62, Akpom 90+1 – Dowman 7, 47, Madueke 16, Merino 58/Liverpool – Tottenham 3-1 (1-0)/Mac Allister 21, Gakpo 54, Szoboszlai 90+1 – Gallagher 69/Reading – Brentford 1-2 (0-2)/O'Connor 72 – Wilson 3, Carvalho 45+1/WednesdayEverton – Wolverhampton 1-0 (0-0)/Alcaraz 80/Fleetwood – Sheffield United 1-0 (0-0)/Norrington-Davies 57 og/Coventry City – Aston Villa 1-3 (1-2)/Torp 27 – Abraham 7, 59, Barkley 40/Manchester United – Brighton 2-3 (2-1)/Lacey 8, Mount 10 – Kostoulas 45+1, Gross 65, De Cuyper 69/Thursday21.30: (1.12) Man.City (8.00) Norwich (16.0)***odds are subject to change***