Manchester United have blown a two-goal lead in their Carabao Cup clash with Brighton – crashing out of the competition at the first hurdle
Michael Carrick might be forgiven for feeling something of a sense of Deja Vu. The Manchester United boss could only watch from the Old Trafford dugout as his side snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
On Sunday, United were the better side when Phil Foden was given his marching orders, only for Erling Haaland to score a controversial winner. Three days later, they suffered another collapse.
This time, United had a 2-0 lead against Brighton, but appeared to run out of gas as Charalampos Kostoulas, Pascal Gross and Maxim De Cuyper turned the game on its head either side of half-time.
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Ultimately, the problem for United is that they still lack a defined style of play. Instead, they are too often reliant on individual moments to get them out of trouble – Carrick has to address this.
That was summed up perfectly by their two goals. The first was a moment of magic from Shea Lacey, who danced past a couple of Brighton defenders before lashing the ball into the near post.
The second came just minutes later, with Brighton still shellshocked by Lacey’s opener. United pressed cleverly, won the ball back and found Mason Mount with a simple pass, allowing him to finish.
Outside of those two moments, however, United offered next to nothing. It was a similar story in the Manchester derby, when United had a quarter of the game with a man advantage but still never looked like scoring.
Their best opportunities came from hopeful potshots outside the area – simply not good enough when you have an extra man.
Wednesday night was 11 vs 11, and United were without their creator-in-chief Bruno Fernandes until he was introduced in the 71st minute. But that only highlights the wider issue.
Too often, the Red Devils are waiting for something to happen rather than creating it themselves – and that is becoming a recurring problem. There was no Plan B, at all, United players would get the ball and not know what to next.
United fans might point to second-string starting side – but the reality is that the Red Devils are fighting on all fronts this season and these players will be needed in the Premier League.
Carrick has a lot of work on his hands if United want top return to the top table of European football next season after a poor start to the campaign.
It’s another embarrassing exit to from the Carabao Cup, the first time in 50 years they’ve blown a two goal lead at home, and the only silver lining that can really be taken is United have one less competition to focus on.