Manchester United suffer stunning 3-2 defeat to Brighton after squandering 2-0 lead

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Manchester United’s difficult start to the season worsened on Wednesday as Brighton came from two goals down to secure a stunning 3-2 victory at Old Trafford and knock Michael Carrick’s side out of the League Cup.

United appeared to be cruising after Shea Lacey and Mason Mount scored within two minutes of each other inside the opening 10 minutes.

However, Brighton mounted a remarkable comeback, with Charalampos Kostoulas pulling one back before Pascal Gross equalised in the second half.

Maxim De Cuyper then completed the turnaround in the 70th minute, leaving United stunned and their players booed off at full-time.

The defeat was United’s second successive loss at Old Trafford, coming just three days after their controversial 1-0 Premier League defeat against Manchester City.

The referees’ governing body subsequently admitted that VAR officials were wrong to allow Erling Haaland’s winning goal in that match.

United have now managed just one victory from their opening four Premier League matches and have lost three of their six games in all competitions.

Carrick, who guided United to third place last season during his spell as interim manager, had been expected to oversee a title challenge after receiving the permanent appointment.

But the latest setback has increased the pressure on the former United midfielder ahead of Sunday’s league trip to Fulham.

Another defeat in west London would further deepen concerns over United’s start to the campaign.

Carrick’s decision to make eight changes for the Brighton game also exposed concerns about the depth of his squad amid criticism of the club’s transfer activity during the close season.

One of the positives for United was the performance of 19-year-old Lacey, who gave the home side the perfect start.

After taking possession inside the Brighton penalty area in the eighth minute, the teenager produced a clinical finish into the bottom corner to score his first goal for the club.

Two minutes later, Mount doubled United’s advantage.

Marcus Rashford’s effort was saved by Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, but Mount reacted quickly to fire the rebound into the roof of the net.

Brighton, however, reduced the deficit in first-half stoppage time when Kostoulas capitalised on poor marking by Ayden Heaven and drilled the ball past Karl Darlow.

Brighton Complete Comeback

The goal appeared to unsettle United and Brighton took advantage after the restart.

Gross levelled the score in the 65th minute after controlling Luka Vuskovic’s header before firing home from close range.

United struggled to regain control and Brighton completed the comeback five minutes later.

De Cuyper swept Kostoulas’ pass into the net from six yards after another lapse in the United defence.

Carrick responded by introducing Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha as United searched for an equaliser, but the changes failed to produce a late rescue.

The result means Brighton have now eliminated Manchester United from two cup competitions in the space of nine months, having also defeated them at Old Trafford in the FA Cup in January.

It was also United’s first home defeat after leading 2-0 in 50 years.

Abraham Inspires Aston Villa

Elsewhere, Tammy Abraham scored twice as Aston Villa defeated Coventry City 3-1 at the CBS Arena to claim only their second victory of the season.

Both sides have endured poor starts to their respective campaigns, with Villa and Coventry sitting in the Premier League relegation zone.

Unai Emery’s Villa, who had lost three of their opening four league matches, took the lead in the seventh minute when Abraham finished from George Hemmings’ clever pass.

Coventry responded in the 27th minute through Victor Torp, who levelled with a superb free-kick.

Ross Barkley restored Villa’s advantage five minutes before half-time, heading home from Ibrahim Mbaye’s corner.

Abraham then put the result beyond doubt in the 59th minute when he finished from Barkley’s flick.

Everton, Fleetwood Advance

Charly Alcaraz came off the bench to score the only goal as Everton defeated Championship side Wolves 1-0.

The Argentine midfielder settled the contest in the 80th minute with a curling effort.

Fourth-tier Fleetwood Town also secured a place in the fourth round for the first time after recording a 1-0 victory over Championship club Sheffield United.

Tuesday’s fixtures saw Arsenal defeat Ipswich Town 4-2, Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1, Fulham overcome West Ham United 3-2 and Brentford defeat Reading 2-1.

League Cup holders Manchester City are scheduled to host Norwich City on Thursday.