New season, same Man Utd story - Carrick is now firmly feeling the pressure

· Sky-PL

This wasn't just a defeat. This wasn't just a collapse. This wasn't just a cup exit. Another Manchester United managerial project is heading in that one, same direction. And even Michael Carrick recognises that.

Even Pascal Gross scoring the equaliser at Old Trafford brought back memories of how he netted twice at United's home in August 2022 to put Erik ten Hag's tenure on the back foot, in the same way Carrick is facing an uphill battle now.

Gross still doing the business four years later is a great testament to the German's longevity at 35 years old - but it's an even more damning reflection of United's lack of progression in that time.

Image: Brighton's Pascal Gross, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal

Around £140m of that pot started for United against Brighton in Youri Tielemans, Mason Mount and Andrey Santos, while a further £70m in Carlos Baleba watched on from the stands as his old club beat his new one. What must he be thinking?

Just like against Hull on the opening weekend of the season, United were outfought by Brighton. "They didn't look fit enough," said Jamie Redknapp. "I don't know if a lot of them do enough. I saw too many players not running back or not looking fit enough."

Many can point towards the nine changes Carrick made, with many of United's players coming into the team after weeks on the Premier League bench. But Brighton also made six changes to their regular line-up, including first starts for the club to four summer signings. What was their excuse?

Once again, the lack of investment in the defensive positions during the transfer market was very clear. The warnings about not addressing that position were there - and a big reason for Brighton turning the game on its head was the defensive displays of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven.

Image: Michael Carrick looks on glumly as his Manchester United side were beaten by Brighton

> "The inexperience of the two young centre-backs definitely showed," said Redknapp. "The pair of them were just inept in everything they did. If you look at Luka Vuskovic, who is 18 or 19, at this level he has aggression, winning challenges, recovery runs.

> "And you looked at the two who played at United who played like everything was easy, making bad decisions - there was a difference in Brighton's defending when it came to going about their business."

The difference was seen in the second goal, as Vuskovic won a header ahead of Benjamin Sesko and the ball ran straight through the heart of the United defence for Gross to score easily.

Heaven was caught on his heels and failed to come across. "He doesn't anticipate the danger. Sprint, get to the penalty spot. But he's jogging.

> "And Yoro, what kind of an effort is that to stop the shot? How easy was that? This isn't a five-a-side competition."

And for the third goal, Yoro was caught jogging back again as Brighton broke to score - not only highlighting Redknapp's defensive concerns about United, but their fitness ones too. "You've got to sprint Leny," he said. "He's jogging. If he sprints, he gets back and makes that block."

But while United are making familiar mistakes, they are still making unwanted history.

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