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Player Ratings: Manchester United 2-3 Brighton
Manchester United crashed - or slumped - out of the Carabao Cup after throwing away a two-goal lead against Brighton at Old Trafford, suffering yet another crushing defeat.
United started brightly, with Shea Lacey, who was making his full United debut, hitting a brilliant shot after cutting in from the right, firing his side ahead after just eight minutes. Seconds later, United were two goals up, as Mason Mount got on the end of the rebound from a Marcus Rashford shot, giving United an ideal opening 10 minutes.
However, United did not manage to control the game, with Brighton showcasing their quality on the ball multiple times. Right before half-time, the away side got a goal back, when Charalampos Kostoulas capitalised from some indecisiveness from Karl Darlow and Ayden Heaven, stroking the ball into the net.
Brighton equalised midway through the second half, when United played their way into trouble, before Diogo Dalot lumped the ball forward to Benjamin Sesko, who could not control the ball, with Pascal Gross then receiving it and slotting it past Darlow.
The game flipped on its head in the 69th minute, as substitute Maxim De Cuyper got on the end of a move to give Brighton the lead.
Rashford had a chance late in the game, but when faced with Jason Steele, he could not beat the Brighton goalkeeper. United did not look like scoring apart from that chance, and as a result were knocked out of the competition.
Here are how the United players fared in another dismal day:
Karl Darlow 3
Had a far from convincing debut. Very slow off his line to collect a long ball from over the top for the first Brighton goal, while he was also unconvincing when coming out to punch or collect balls from corners. Not good enough.
Diogo Dalot 2
Another poor performance from the right-back. He was completely torn apart by Malick Yalcouye, and offered nothing going forward. Produced a terrible clearance straight into the Brighton midfield for the away side's second goal. Simply not good enough.
Leny Yoro 5
United's best defender, but that is not saying much. At times looked brilliant, while on others was shaky. He made a brilliant block at one point, but was also out of position for the second and third Brighton goals.
Ayden Heaven 2
A shocking display from the young defender. Kostoulas absolutely dominated him, winning the physical battle time and time again. Gave the ball away needlessly more than once, and on other occasions went down too easily in desperate attempts to win free-kicks. A really poor showing from Heaven.
Noussair Mazraoui 4
Similarly to Patrick Dorgu in the Manchester Derby, Mazraoui was run ragged. He got a heavy knock in the first half and was seemingly struggling for large parts of the half. Did not offer much going forward, and was not great at the back. Tidy in possession at times.
Andrey Santos 5
Made a series of good interceptions, but not the best in possession. Got his first start since pre-season, but he did not do enough to warrant him starting ahead of Kobbie Mainoo or Youri Tielemans against Fulham.
Youri Tielemans 5
Captained United and started very brightly, being the man United looked to in possession. However, he struggled as the game wore on, not having enough physically to keep up with Brighton's flying forwards and midfielders. Showed his quality at times, while on others looked completely off it.
Shea Lacey 7
United's best and most productive player. Shocking that it ended up being a 19-year-old making his full debut. Scored a superb goal to open the scoring for United, cutting inside and rifling the ball into the net. Carried the ball forward and was United's main threat, winning the ball back time and time again.
Mason Mount 6
Got on the scoresheet on his return to the starting 11, yet he did not do much on the ball after that. Offered plenty of running and won the ball a number of times for United, before his teammates eventually lost possession. A good outing for the midfielder.
Marcus Rashford 6
Together with Lacey, Rashford was United's main threat. Played a huge role in the second goal, and was looking to win the ball back high up the pitch. The Brighton defence was worried when he ran at them with pace. However, he should have scored when faced with Jason Steele in the second half.
Benjamin Sesko 4
Barely got in the game. He was probably fouled in the build-up for the first Brighton goal, yet he should have also been stronger. Could not get on the ball enough, which is not just a criticism of him, but of the whole team.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo 6
Came on and was United's best midfielder. Comfortable in and out of possession, and tried to make things happen.
Bryan Mbeumo 5
Did not get on the ball enough, but also tried to push forward.
Joshua Zirkzee 2
Poor, poor, poor. Whenever he got on the ball, he lost it, and he did not press or try to make things happen. Shockingly bad performance.
Bruno Fernandes 5
Had to be brought on as an emergency substitute, but he could not deliver, having one shot go well over the bar.
Matheus Cunha 5
Did not have enough time to make an impact.
Head Coach - Michael Carrick 3
Another poor game for Carrick. While he started a rotated side, it should have been strong enough to get a win over the line, especially after going 2-0 up after 10 minutes. However, it was far from a convincing display. United were terrible defensively, being cut open time and time again. When Brighton went in front, the pace in the play was not there, with United never really looking like scoring aside from a Rashford chance.
Things need to change for Carrick, as the situation is becoming seriously concerning, with United being outplayed and outrun game after game. Players lack any form of match sharpness, but Carrick will need these players to find their form or he will be in trouble.
