Manchester United fans boo as Michael Carrick's side collapse in Carabao Cup
· Yahoo Sports
THE atmosphere inside Old Trafford shifted as rapidly as the scoreline.
At the final whistle, a wave of boos rang out as the Manchester United supporters turned on their players. And if Michael Carrick wasn't feeling the pressure before, the United manager is certainly in the hot seat now.
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This was inexcusable. A feeble, spineless capitulation as United squandered a two-goal advantage through some reckless defending and unacceptable play, as per The Mirror.
-Credit:OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty ImagesRemarkably, this was the first time United had surrendered a two-goal lead in 146 matches, and they now find themselves eliminated from yet another domestic cup competition. Again.
Last season, United crashed out at the first hurdle in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup — the latter against Brighton — enduring the shortest season in the club's history.
That, however, gave Carrick the opportunity to turn the club's fortunes around, steer them back into the UEFA Champions League, and ultimately earn himself the permanent role.
But following a sluggish start to the Premier League campaign — including Sunday's Manchester derby defeat to City — and now an early cup exit, this raises serious questions about whether the club moved too hastily in appointing another club legend.
Loyalty and heritage will only carry you so far, and Carrick is now visibly struggling as Brighton's Old Trafford curse struck once more. That's five wins from six visits to Old Trafford for the Seagulls.
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It was an outright gift for Fabian Hurzeler's never-say-die side. What a victory. But what a pitiful surrender and a dreadful week for United.
Following 15-year-old sensation JJ Gabriel's announcement that he wished to depart the club, the narrative shifted dramatically when fellow academy product Shea Leacey netted on his maiden start. The timing couldn't have been better as he struck a superb finish just eight minutes in.
The advantage doubled two minutes later through Mason Mount's strike, and surely even an inconsistent United side couldn't surrender from this position. Think again.
Rather than killing off the match, they remained defensively careless, their talent-laden substitutes' bench left them undermanned on the field, and Brighton maintained their persistence.
Brighton's confidence visibly grew as United retreated deeper, becoming increasingly exposed at the back.
-Credit:MB Media, Getty ImagesTheir perseverance paid off in first-half stoppage time. A diagonal pass from Jaouen Hadjam carved open the United backline, allowing Brighton striker Charalampos Kostoulas to drill a low effort beyond goalkeeper Karl Darlow, bringing the visitors right back into contention.
United simply failed to seal the victory. Brighton maintained their momentum. When Diogo Dalot's clearance was immediately nodded back by Luka Vuskovic, the ball dropped for Pascal Gross.
The Brighton attacker evaded Lenny Yoro, maintained his composure, and slotted it low past Darlow. United made it straightforward. While Yoro was caught out on that occasion, Ayden Heaven appeared completely overwhelmed.
Brighton weren't finished yet. Kostoulas surged down the right side of the penalty area; his cutback found Maxim De Cuyper perfectly, and suddenly the visitors had taken the lead.
The boos and frustration echoed around Old Trafford as Brighton had completely flipped the match and United were staring down another cup disaster.
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Marcus Rashford broke through but was thwarted by Steele. United introduced their star players in an attempt to rescue a disastrous week. However, they lacked the craft, quality or resolve to reverse the situation. Yet another premature cup elimination. Yet another setback for Carrick.
United's trip to Fulham on Sunday suddenly carries significant weight for Carrick. Particularly as it arrives right before the international break.