Michael Carrick reacts to Manchester United’s shock defeat to Brighton

Michael Carrick reacts to Manchester United’s shock defeat to Brighton Manchester United 2-3 Brighton: Michael Carrick Accepts Boos After Carabao Cup Collapse Manchester United are already in a mess, and Michael Carrick knows it. A 2-0 lead at home against Brighton in the Carabao Cup should have meant control, calm and progress. Instead, it ended in a 3-2 defeat, boos from the stands and another reminder that this side remains badly short of where it needs to be. Supporters did not need telling how poor it was. United started well, went two goals up, then drifted. The intensity dropped, the defending got loose and Brighton sensed exactly what was there to be taken. Once momentum shifted, United looked vulnerable in all the familiar areas, soft without the ball, careless with it, and lacking authority when the game needed managing. IMAGO | Anfield Index Carrick accepts Manchester United reaction There was no attempt from Carrick to dodge responsibility. He said, “I totally understand the feelings of the supporters. We have to accept it. I totally accept it.” That is the correct response, because there was no defence for what followed after the early control. He added, “It’s on me ultimately: as a team, what we look like, how we play and what results you get. I take that. I’ll take the praise, I’ll take the criticism and the upset.” Again, fair enough. Managers get credit when things go well and carry the blame when a team folds at home after leading 2-0. Brighton punish slack defending The most damning part was how avoidable it all felt. Brighton did not need gifts, but United gave them encouragement through slack defending and half-hearted work when pressure built. This was the first time since 1976 that Manchester United had lost at home after going two goals ahead. That tells its own story. Carrick called the display “unacceptable”, saying, “We can’t accept that as a group. I take responsibility for it. The performance towards the end of the second half, that’s on me.” Pressure grows before Fulham trip Manchester United sit 13th in the Premier League after four matches and are already out of the Carabao Cup. That is a poor start by any standard. The trip to Fulham now matters more than it should in early September. Carrick put it simply: “We’ll all be better. We have to be better.” Right now, words are easy. United need a result.