Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has stressed that he is not feeling the pressure after Brighton & Hove Albion came from behind to beat his side 3-2.
Exit
For the second consecutive season, United have been dumped out of the Carabao Cup at the first time of asking.
United found themselves 2-0 up inside 10 minutes thanks to goals from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount. Brighton pulled one back just before the break through Charalampos Kostoulas.
⚽️ Shea Lacey (8')
⚽️ Mason Mount (10')A strong start for Michael Carrick's Reds! 👊 pic.twitter.com/wSxdo53xt3
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 16, 2026
Carrick had three substitutes stripped and ready 15 minutes into the second half but before he could make the changes, Brighton equalised through Pascal Gross, who pounced on some truly pitiful defending from the hosts.
None of the introductions made a difference for United, with Maxim De Cuyper adding a third to complete the comeback for the Seagulls.
It was the first time United had led at home by two goals and lost since they were beaten 3-2 by Tottenham in 1976, 50 years ago.
Speaking to reporters at his press conference, Carrick was questioned about suggestions that he is now under scrutiny. He refuted such talk.
Carrick’s remarks
Carrick said, “When we win people will say I’m doing a good job and if we don’t win or get results then a lot of it is on me. I accept that, I’m not hiding away from any of that. It is what it is.”
“No, I don’t feel under pressure. That doesn’t bother me one bit. It genuinely doesn’t bother me.”
He expressed confidence that United can turn things around and embark on a positive run.
“Of course we can turn it around. We’ve got some really good players.”
Carrick continued, “It feels bad at the moment because we haven’t had a great week or two or three weeks but it doesn’t mean you can’t win another game of football quickly. he players have shown before what they’re capable of doing and we have as a group. But it doesn’t count for much, it’s always about what happens next.”
Asked about the boos from the fans at the full-time whistle, he remarked, “We know it’s there whether it’s good or not good. It’s pretty obvious.”
“It feels pretty quick, a couple of things go one way and we’ve gone out of the cup tonight. The feeling around the place feels bigger than that, I’ll be honest about that, that’s how it feels, but it doesn’t have to be like that.”
“If we win football matches again it can go in a different direction.”
In his TV interview, Carrick lauded Lacey for his fantastic finish and he reiterated this in the presser.
“It’s a shame that Shea’s moment, such a great moment for him, his family, friends and the whole academy, to have an academy player come in and have a moment like that, it gets a bit lost, unfortunately, which it won’t for him when things settle down.”
United are next in action on Sunday when they go away to Fulham.
Featured image by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
