Brighton stun Manchester United with 3-2 comeback at Old Trafford
The visitors overturned a two-goal deficit to knock United out of the Carabao Cup in a pulsating third-round tie
By Andalo Christine Ingutia
Manchester United were eliminated from the Carabao Cup yesterday after Brighton produced a stunning second-half comeback to win 3–2 at Old Trafford, overturning a two-goal deficit in one of the most dramatic cup exits the ground has witnessed in years.
United wasted no time making their intentions clear. Shea Lacey opened the scoring in the seventh minute, keeping his composure to finish cleanly, before Mason Mount doubled the advantage shortly after, burying his effort into the back of the net. Old Trafford was in full voice and the tie appeared to be heading only one way.
Brighton, however, refused to fold. As the first half progressed, the visitors grew into the match, turning it into a physical midfield battle and gradually wrestling back control of possession. Their persistence paid off before the break when Kostoulas found space inside the penalty area and fired past the goalkeeper to make it 2–1 at half-time.
United returned from the interval still in front, but Brighton came back with an entirely different energy. They pressed higher, won more second balls and forced the hosts progressively deeper. The equaliser arrived through a well-worked move that created space for Pascal Groß, who kept his nerve and finished past the goalkeeper to level at 2–2.
United manager Michael Carrick turned to his bench, introducing Joshua Zirkzee, Kobbie Mainoo and Bryan Mbeumo in search of fresh impetus. Brighton, though, had the final word. Substitute Maxim Cuypers finished confidently in the 69th minute to put the visitors 3–2 ahead, silencing Old Trafford and completing a comeback that had seemed improbable only moments earlier.
Bruno Fernandes was introduced as United pushed desperately for an equaliser, but Brighton’s defence held firm. Their players blocked passing lanes, managed the clock intelligently and denied the hosts any clear route back into the contest.
When the final whistle sounded, the mood inside Old Trafford had shifted entirely — frustration for the home supporters, unbridled celebration for Brighton.
United’s exit comes in the third round, which is, at least, an improvement on last season’s humiliating second-round defeat to fourth-tier Grimsby Town — widely regarded as one of the most embarrassing early cup departures in the club’s modern history. Yesterday’s collapse, however, will sting almost as sharply.
In cup football, as Brighton reminded Old Trafford, the game is never over until it is over.
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