Photo via BBC Sport

Carrick 'not bothered' by pressure - but should he be after this latest mess?

Manchester United suffered a stunning Carabao Cup third-round elimination against Brighton, relinquishing a two-goal advantage to be defeated at home for the first time in that scenario since Tottenham's John Pratt netted the decider in September 1976. Michael Carrick reshuffled his starting lineup with eight adjustments, including an eighth-minute opener from debut starter Shea Lacey, who matched Marcus Rashford's February 2016 feat as a teenage scorer on his first start for the club.

However, United unraveled defensively alongside retainers like Diogo Dalot, prompting boos and hostile confrontations near the tunnel from frustrated spectators who had already protested prior to Sunday's derby defeat against ten-man Manchester City.

Despite slumping to their third loss across all competitions—eclipsing the total number of defeats Carrick endured across seventeen matches after succeeding Ruben Amorim in January—the manager insisted outside pressure does not concern him. United, whose only victories this campaign came against Ipswich and Azerbaijani side Sabah FK, were forced to bring on captain Bruno Fernandes late on rather than hand fifteen-year-old JJ Gabriel an appearance, while defensive selections such as Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, and Ayden Heaven faced scrutiny.