Man Utd Players Rated And Slated After Brighton Defeat

2026-09-17 · GiveMeSport

How we rated the Manchester United players in defeat to Brighton in the Carabao Cup

Manchester United were sent packing in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, having put themselves in the perfect position to reach round four.

United started the game at Old Trafford like a house on fire, going 2-0 up against Brighton & Hove Albion inside the first ten minutes, thanks to a lovely strike by youngster Shea Lacey and a goal from Mason Mount.

The Red Devils were cruising, but a Charalampous Kostoulas goal on the stroke of half-time halved the deficit for the Seagulls, giving them hope heading into the second half.

And the visitors controlled large parts of the second half, scoring two goals in quick succession through Pascal Gross and Maxim de Cuyper to turn the tie completely on its head and make it through to a fourth round meeting with either reigning champions Manchester City or Norwich.

It piles the pressure on Michael Carrick, whose side have only won twice in six games in all competitions so far this season. Here, GIVEMESPORT rates the United players in a school report style...

Karl Darlow - D

Was brought to the club to play in matches like this, but the cup exit means further chances are going to be fewer and further between. He may have to wait until January and the FA Cup third round for his next opportunity.

Did not look very convincing at all and was so hesitant for Brighton's first goal that gave them the lift to get back into the game before half-time.

Diogo Dalot - D

While others around him were given the night off, or at least some of it, he was called upon again and probably wishes he was left at home.

Brighton youngster Malick Yalcouye gave him a torrid time and the poor start to the season continues for the Portuguese, and it was his errant ball from which Brighton equalised. See the teacher.

Leny Yoro - D+

Had to bail his young centre-back partner out on a number of occasions but was only moderately better in the match for doing so.

Has some strong moments but then there are too many head-loss moments to go along with it. Gets a higher grade than his teammate for the help he gave.

Ayden Heaven - D

Has not been seen on the pitch since the 2-0 opening day defeat to Hull City and he may just have highlighted why .

Could do little as Yalcouye sprinted away from him in the first half and then got caught under the ball that ended with Kostoulas pulling a goal back for Brighton. Chances are running out.

Noussair Mazroaui - D

The Manchester United defence was all over the place, particularly in the second half and he was turned this way and that by Kostoulas for the Greek to set up the Seagulls' winner.

He was dribbled past four times on the night and it another who will not get much of a look-in when it comes to Carrick's Premier League starting XI.

Andrey Santos - C

What can we say about the £50million summer signing apart from the fact he was not as bad as the defenders behind him?

Could he have offered them more help? Perhaps. Made six defensive contributions and did more in that regard than he did in his other start against Hull, but his performance was nothing to write home about, particularly as United lost the midfield battle in the second half.

Youri Tielemans - C+

Looked to get United on the front foot and made a couple of strong runs and made more passes into the final third than any other United player.

Got an assist to his name and was tidy with his passing. Not bad, but better expected.

Marcus Rashford - B

He looks a different player now the shackles of the Ruben Amorim era are off. Carrick has given him confidence to go and play his game and he was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet with his effort saved that rebounded to Mount to score.

He worried the Brighton defence all night and kept at it, even when the game was slipping away. Just needs a goal now.

Mason Mount - C-

Got a goal as United started the game like a dream, but did very little more than that. Had no impact on the game whatsoever and is not likely to see many starts if that is all he can produce.

Gets a slightly higher grade because of the goal, otherwise it was a D.

Shea Lacey - B

Scored his first goal for the Manchester United senior team and in some style too. Held off Jaouen Hadjam really well just inside the box, cutting in and striking low past Jason Steel for a moment he will never forget.

Did well beyond that early strike too, with it no doubt giving him confidence as he looked to get United on the front foot with some strong carries down the right. Keep it up.

Benjamin Sesko - C-

There have been some calls that he should be starting in the No.9 role in the Premier League, given Matheus Cunha's lack of goals, but not on this performance.

He obviously didn't have the same sort of experienced talent around him with Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo left out, but Lacey still managed to shine. Is he fit enough?

Substitutes

Kobbie Mainoo - B-

Showed why he is the starter in the Premier League by doing more than Santos in just 24 minutes on the pitch. Could not rescue the tie for United though.

Bryan Mbeumo - C

Did not see much of the ball after coming on, successful with just eight of the 12 passes he tried.

Joshua Zirkzee - C

No impact on the game, although he had a couple of chances. Made two passes into the final third and had one shot which he could not convert.

Bruno Fernandes - C

Little time to do anything. was brought on to help grab an equaliser, but could not.

Matheus Cunha - C

Sent a good cross into the box late on that Zirkzee could not convert. Enjoyed a 100% pass success rate when he came on.

The manager

Michael Carrick - D

Made a host of changes, as he prioritises the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, naturally, but after defeat to Manchester City in meek circumstances on Sunday, this was an opportunity to put things right.

He failed and the team failed and the pressure is now firmly on his shoulders following a poor start to the 2026/27 season. One unemployed former top flight manager was even spotted in the crowd ...

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