Manchester United’s poor start to the new campaign hit rock bottom last night (Wednesday) after Brighton came from behind to knock Michael Carrick’s men out of the Carabao Cup on a disastrous night at Old Trafford.
Quickfire goals from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount fired United into a two-goal lead inside the first 10 minutes, but the Seagulls roared back to win the game by three goals to two, leaving the Theatre of Dreams stunned.
Although it was a much-changed United XI, Carrick’s men thoroughly deserved to lose on a night which had looked as though it could have been the perfect tonic to the Derby disaster after the opening exchanges.
However, Brighton controlled proceedings for the next 80 minutes, and United now face a must-win trip to the capital to face Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
Backing from former captain
Despite drawing the corresponding fixture last season, which included a rare Bruno Fernandes missed penalty, United do have a decent record at Craven Cottage and must continue that to ease the pressure on Michael Carrick, which is building with each passing week.
As reported by the Metro, speaking on The Overlap podcast, Neville is confident United will pick up three points at Craven Cottage, forecasting a narrow win in West London.
“United will win this. I think United win Sunday. To be fair having watched Fulham a couple of times I think they’re really going to struggle. I don’t know how they actually… just everything about them,” he said.
“To be fair you’re probably clipping this up on Sunday night, but everything about Fulham for me now looks like they could be in real trouble. I think 2-1.”
Alvaro Arbeloa is yet to get a tune out of his players, and Fulham have picked up just one point from their first four games in the Premier League, leaving them in the relegation places with Aston Villa and Coventry before kick-off.
Time to panic?
It should be noted that Neville’s prediction came before last night’s horror show, which should be sending alarm bells around Old Trafford.
United’s opening 20 minutes were a stark contrast to their final 20 minutes, which saw complete chaos and a lack of structure when trying to find an equaliser that might have spared their blushes and forced a penalty shootout.
The team looked completely void of ideas and quality in their build-up, not dissimilar to the abject nature of their attempts to wrestle back control in the game against City after conceding.
Carrick himself looked shell-shocked during and after the game and will be well aware of the importance of Sunday’s game, with question marks now starting to appear over his suitability for the role.
He will be hoping his old teammate Neville is right with his prediction, with maximum points the only possible outcome to steady the ship somewhat before the international break.
Featured image James Fearn via Getty Images
