Manchester United eliminated by Brighton in League Cup (2:3)

Manchester United were knocked out of the League Cup after a 2:3 defeat by Brighton at Old Trafford on 16 September 2026.

The result piled more misery on United’s supporters after last weekend’s Premier League loss to Manchester City. Brighton’s comeback at Old Trafford sent them through to the next round while United exited their first cup competition of the season.

The match opened with an early strike: in the 8th minute a goal came through the excellent Leicy, who is showing his full potential at 19 years of age. By the 10th minute it was 2:0. An outstanding press from Manchester United players saw Rashford win the ball, and then Mason Mount met the loose ball to score and hand the Red Devils a big advantage.

Brighton woke up near the end of the first half when Hadjam found Kostulas with an incredible ball and Kostulas scored. The piece described the pass from Hadjam from the back line as travelling perhaps 60–70 metres and suggested the ball may have gone through goalkeeper Darlow’s hands. Pascal Gross proved that Manchester United were in trouble with a goal in the 65th minute after excellent pressing on United’s half to make it 2:2.

The comeback was completed in the 70th minute with an exceptional sequence: several moves that tore United’s defence apart, and finally Kostulas from the right involved De Kajper for the decisive 2:3.

Other League Cup results from the day included Everton beating Wolverhampton 1:0 at home, with Carlos Alcaraz scoring late to progress. In the tie between Fleetwood and Sheffield United, Fleetwood won 1:0 thanks to an own goal by Norrington-Davies in the 57th minute; Fleetwood play in the fourth tier of English football. Aston Villa reached the next round with a 1:3 win over Coventry — Abraham opened in the 7th minute, Torp equalised in the 27th, Ross Barkley added a further goal before half-time and later set up Abraham for the third to complete the 1:3 scoreline.

Photo: press material from the event