Manchester United holds two-goal lead against Brighton in Carabao Cup clash

Manchester United carried a 2-1 advantage into the second half against Brighton at Old Trafford on September 16, 2026, with a teenage debutant stealing the early spotlight in this Carabao Cup third-round encounter. Shea Lacey, making his first start for the club, needed just eight minutes to find the net. He became the first teenager to score on a first start for Manchester United since Marcus Rashford managed the feat back in 2016. Early blitz, late Brighton reply United wasted no time building on Lacey’s opener. Mason Mount doubled the lead in the 10th minute, giving the home side a commanding two-goal cushion before most fans had settled into their seats. United made eight changes to their starting lineup, with Youri Tielemans wearing the captain’s armband and Bruno Fernandes watching from the bench. Brighton, similarly reshuffled, included Pascal Gross and Matt O’Riley in their selection. The reward came deep into first-half stoppage time. Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one back for Brighton in the 45th minute plus one, sending the away contingent into the break with renewed belief. Squad rotation and the Carabao Cup calculus In the Carabao Cup format, matches that remain level a...