Manchester United suffered another painful night at Old Trafford after Brighton & Hove Albion overturned a two-goal deficit to beat the Red Devils 3-2 and send them crashing out of the Carabao Cup.
United appeared to be cruising after Shea Lacey and Mason Mount put Michael Carrick’s side 2-0 ahead inside the opening 10 minutes.
But what followed was a dramatic collapse.
Brighton responded with three unanswered goals to complete a stunning comeback and eliminate United at the third-round stage.
UNITED FLY OUT OF THE BLOCKS
The night could hardly have started better for United.
Teenager Shea Lacey opened the scoring before Mason Mount quickly doubled the advantage, leaving Brighton with a mountain to climb.
But instead of putting the tie beyond doubt, United allowed the visitors back into the contest.
Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one back before Pascal Groß levelled the match.
Then came the decisive moment.
BRIGHTON COMPLETE THE COMEBACK
Maxim De Cuyper scored Brighton’s third goal to complete the turnaround and silence Old Trafford.
United had gone from being 2-0 ahead to trailing 3-2.
The final whistle confirmed another early Carabao Cup exit for the Red Devils.
A 50-YEAR FIRST
The collapse also produced an unwanted piece of Manchester United history.
According to Reuters, it was the first time in 50 years that United had lost at Old Trafford after taking a 2-0 lead.
The last occasion came in September 1976, when Tottenham also came from two goals down to win 3-2 at Old Trafford.
That statistic tells the story of just how extraordinary Wednesday night’s collapse was.
MORE PRESSURE ON CARRICK
The result comes only days after United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League derby.
Now, after throwing away a two-goal lead at home and exiting another competition at the first hurdle, the spotlight is firmly back on Carrick and his team.
United’s players will have to respond quickly, with their Premier League campaign continuing after the cup disappointment.
For Brighton, meanwhile, the victory represents a memorable comeback at one of English football’s most famous stadiums.
United had the perfect start. Brighton had the perfect response.
And once again, Old Trafford was left asking how a 2-0 lead disappeared.
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