Manchester United suffers Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton
Michael Carrick has insisted he doesn’t feel under pressure at Manchester United, despite their poor start to the season hitting a new low in Wednesday night’s 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford, reports BritPanorama.
The Red Devils went into the fixture hoping to bounce back after their derby day defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. Early goals from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount gave them a positive start, but Charalampos Koustoulas pulled one back for the visitors right before half-time.
Brighton completed a stunning comeback in the second half, sealing victory with goals from Pascal Gross and Maxim De Cuyper. This latest defeat means that United has won just three of their six games this term.
Carrick maintains that he does not fear pressure, though many fans chose to boo the players off the pitch following the full-time whistle. “No pressure anyway. Either way, that doesn’t bother me one bit,” he said. “I understand what goes on outside and how the world works, but it genuinely doesn’t bother me.”
He continued, “What bothers me is winning games, having a good feeling around the place and knowing we’re moving in a good direction. If we’re on a good run, the biggest thing I’m thinking about is keeping it going and keeping everything on an even level.”
Carrick acknowledged the team’s struggle to comprehend the shock loss, noting the stark contrast between their promising start and the eventual outcome. “We were in such a good position, playing well and doing all the things we wanted to do,” he conceded. “It feels like a long time ago now. The feeling at the start of the game and the feeling at the end couldn’t have been further apart.”
In the summer, United bolstered their midfield with signings like Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, and Carlos Baleba. However, many supporters feel Carrick has been sold short considering other areas of the squad still need addressing. Better full-backs are required, while the performances of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven at the heart of the defence have raised questions about their future in the first team.
Carrick responded to criticism regarding team performance and accountability: “The team’s on me. When we win, people say I’m doing a good job. If we don’t win or don’t get results, then a lot of it is on me. I accept that. I’m not hiding away from any of that. That is what it is.”
In a league where expectations run high, Carrick faces the challenge of restoring the fans’ faith. Each match becomes not just a test of skill but a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in football.
