Brighton Stun Manchester United with Historic Carabao Cup Comeback
Manchester United’s Carabao Cup campaign ended with a 3-2 third-round defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford, after the home side squandered a two-goal advantage established inside the first 10 minutes.
Key takeaways
- Brighton recovered from 2-0 down to win at Old Trafford, becoming the first away side in more than five decades to beat United there after trailing by two goals.
- Leny Yoro and Heaven made their first start together at centre-back this season.
- Jamie Redknapp described the young defensive pairing’s display as “inept” after Brighton’s comeback.
- Michael Carrick refused to single out either defender and insisted both have strong long-term prospects.
- United return to Premier League action at Fulham on Sunday.
Carrick rejects blame aimed at Yoro and Heaven
United’s defensive problems became the defining feature of a chaotic cup exit. Heaven was involved in the build-up to Brighton’s first goal, while both he and Yoro were exposed as the visitors levelled the tie and then found the winner.
The match was the first occasion this term on which the two young defenders had been deployed together in the middle of the back line. Brighton’s forwards took advantage of the uncertainty in United’s defending, prompting particularly pointed criticism of the pair’s inexperience.
Carrick, however, maintained that the performance and result could not be placed on two players. “I thought they started really well in the game, I thought we started really well,” he said. “It’s not about them. I think they will learn from different experiences and I think they have done particularly well.”
He added that both players remained in a positive position despite the setback. “They are in a really good spot as two young players who have really good futures. Unfortunately you go through times in football where you have good spells and times where you learn a lot when things haven’t gone so well, but I wouldn’t isolate them at all.”
Faith remains in £52.2m Yoro
Yoro joined United from Lille in July 2024 for £52.2 million, with the club having beaten Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool to his signature. The scale of the pursuit reflected the high expectations around the Frenchman, who is now 20.
He has made 55 Premier League appearances for United, although close to half of those outings have come as a substitute. This season, his starts have been limited to the Champions League meeting with Sabah FK and the Brighton cup tie.
Carrick said there would be no rushed judgement after one difficult night. “I’ve got no worries for Leny,” he said. “He’s got a fantastic future ahead of him. There’s no cut-off point. Some players find when they’re 18 that they are at a level where they can really perform. Sometimes it’s 22, 23, 24 when you see players start developing.”
The United manager also underlined the club’s continuing confidence in the defender, warning against assessments based on isolated incidents. “What we’ve got to be careful of, and I certainly won’t do, is making knee-jerk decisions on certain players just because of one game or one half or one moment in a game. We’ve got a lot of belief in Leny.”
Fulham next after cup disappointment
United have little time to dwell on the elimination, with a trip to Craven Cottage awaiting on Sunday. The need for a response in west London has increased after the manner of the Brighton defeat.
Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire are expected to return as the established central-defensive pairing, allowing Yoro and Heaven to move out of the immediate spotlight. Both youngsters remain important options for Carrick as the schedule becomes busier, but United will seek a more controlled display against Fulham to rebuild momentum.
