Manchester United face Brighton in the EFL Cup third round as Michael Carrick looks to respond after the Manchester derby defeat and reach the fourth round.
Manchester United have little time to dwell on the Manchester derby. Three days after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, Michael Carrick’s side return to Old Trafford on Wednesday to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup third round. It is a difficult draw at a time when United need a response, especially against a Brighton side that demolished Coventry City 5-0 in its last outing.
United have won only one of their four Premier League matches this season, while Brighton sit fourth after an impressive start. The EFL Cup therefore offers Carrick a chance to put the derby disappointment behind him and give his side some much-needed momentum.
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Can Manchester United turn frustration into a response?
The defeat to City exposed a familiar problem for United: creating enough danger when the opposition sits back. Even after City were reduced to 10 men, United struggled to turn possession into clear opportunities and ultimately failed to find an equalizer. Brighton are unlikely to defend in exactly the same way. Fabian Hurzeler’s side can press aggressively when required but are also comfortable breaking forward quickly once they recover possession. United’s attackers will therefore need to move the ball faster and make better use of the spaces around Brighton’s defensive line.
This could also be an important opportunity for Benjamin Sesko. The striker scored in United’s Champions League win over Sabah and is pushing for more minutes after making a positive impact from the bench. A start against Brighton would give him another chance to establish himself as a regular attacking option.
Why should Manchester United be wary of Brighton?
Brighton’s biggest strength is the variety in their attack. Their forwards are capable of rotating positions, stretching the defense and exploiting gaps rather than relying on one player to create everything. Their 5-0 win over Coventry demonstrated that threat, with Brighton finding the net repeatedly after turning promising attacking situations into clear chances. They have also scored 13 goals in their opening four Premier League matches, giving United plenty to think about at the back.
Brighton also has a psychological advantage at Old Trafford. They have won four of their last five visits to the stadium in all competitions, including a 2-1 FA Cup victory in January. United’s 3-0 win at Brighton in May provides a more positive recent memory, but the overall record shows that this is not a ground where the visitors feel uncomfortable. United will need to avoid giving Brighton easy opportunities to run at their defense. If the hosts can force the visitors to play against a settled back line, their greater individual quality should become an advantage.
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Who could miss the game for Manchester United?
Carrick has several selection decisions to make after the demanding derby, although the injury list contains a mixture of long-term absences and players who are still being assessed. Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Amad Diallo, and Tom Heaton remain sidelined, while Carlos Baleba is also unavailable. Luke Shaw is a fitness doubt, although he has returned to training and could still have a chance of being involved. Marcus Rashford has also been listed as doubtful with a knock.
With the match coming so soon after the derby, Carrick is likely to make changes. The challenge will be maintaining enough experience on the side while giving other players an opportunity to prove themselves. Brighton can also rotate for the cup, but their strong squad and current confidence mean United cannot assume that a changed lineup will make the tie easier.
Prediction
This is a game United should win, but Brighton’s form and recent record at Old Trafford make it a dangerous assignment. Carrick needs a more decisive attacking performance from his side, particularly in the final third. United’s home advantage and superior individual quality should ultimately make the difference, but Brighton are capable of keeping the game close if they reproduce the intensity that produced their weekend demolition of Coventry.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Brighton. For Carrick, progressing is important, but the performance could matter just as much. United needs to show they can respond immediately when a disappointing result raises questions about the team’s direction. Will Carrick’s United use the EFL Cup to silence the early-season doubts, or are Brighton about to deliver another reminder that Old Trafford is no longer the intimidating fortress it once was?
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