Michael Carrick urges Man Utd players to overcome struggles against Fulham

Michael Carrick sounded deflated in his post-match interview after Manchester United suffered another disappointing blow. This time, they were the deserved victims of a Carabao Cup elimination after throwing away a two-goal lead against Brighton.

Manchester United lost 3-2 against Brighton on Wednesday night, crashing out of the Carabao Cup third round. It spells the end of a cup run similar to last season, when the Reds were knocked out by Grimsby Town, their initial hurdle in the second round.

It will go down as one of Michael Carrick’s most disappointing results as United head coach, following a worryingly slow start to the 2026/27 campaign.

Carrick didn’t shy away from responsibility in his post-match interview, nor did he throw any of his players under the bus. That doesn’t change the fact he is feeling the pressure at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick reflects on Brighton defeat with message to Man Utd players

United crashed out of the Carabao Cup after a shocking defeat to Brighton, after leading 2-0 after 10 minutes, courtesy of goals from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount.

The bright start didn’t last long because United rarely threatened Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele after Mount added to the early lead. It was thrown away courtesy of shoddy defending, which has been an issue for Carrick’s side – as many United fans expected would be the case after the summer transfer window – since the beginning of the season.

Speaking to the media after the match, Carrick looked extremely disappointed, but made sure to mention the important moment for United’s best performer on the night, Lacey.

“It seems a long time ago now, but the start of the game was fantastic,” Carrick told BBC Radio 5.

“It was everything we hoped for, even more, really, in some ways, in Shea [Lacey] getting his goal. The night’s gone in a different direction, but I think for Shea, for the moment in the academy and everyone who’s been connected with his journey, to have a moment like which he should be celebrating and enjoying a little bit more really, to have that start of the game. Then we let the game get away from us with the longer the game went.

“We ended up with a pretty disappointing night. It’s obvious for me to say that. We accept that. We can’t be in a position like that and lose the game in that manner. I’ll understand the disappointments and frustrations. I accept that. That’s on me. It’ll need to be better than that.”

When asked whether he’s addressed that, Carrick urged the players to find the answers against Fulham on Sunday.

He added: “We can’t change that. It’s done. We’ve got to keep evolving as a group. We have to keep learning and dealing with situations. Sometimes they come a bit easier than others. Tonight was a tough one. We didn’t find a way out of it. That’s up to me and the staff to help the players and guide them through it. I think we all know that in the end tonight feels like a big disappointment.

“We’ve had small, little things that have gone against us in the last week or two, and then it accumulates to feel that it’s a lot bigger. I think we have to be honest and say that. The late goal against Everton from outside the box. The [Manchester] City goal the other day. It can all of a sudden roll into something a bit greater but I understand the disappointment because we shouldn’t finish the game in that manner with the position we were in, and we have to be humble and take that.

“We have to find the answers for Sunday.”

It will feel like an extra-long international break for Carrick and everyone associated with United if the team doesn’t get back to winning ways this weekend.

Why Michael Carrick is under the cosh

It’s still early days in the season, but United’s slow start to the season certainly has Carrick under the cosh.

Jason Wilcox’s face at full-time said it all. He looked utterly horrified as United failed to progress in the Carabao Cup after winning just two of their first six games of the season.

• 🫣 Manchester United’s results from the first six games
• 2 wins (Ipswich Town & Sabah FK)
• 3 losses (Hull City, Man City & Brighton)
• Draw (Everton)

The only way Carrick can turn things around is by winning football matches. We all hope he can guide the team back to winning ways against Fulham.