Michael Carrick Takes Responsibility After Man Utd's Crushing Brighton Collapse: “It’s on Me”

Manchester United's latest setback was difficult enough to explain on the scoreboard. Michael Carrick believes the bigger problem is what the defeat represents.

United threw away a 2–0 lead against Brighton at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, eventually losing 3–2 and crashing out of the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage.

For Carrick, the painful part was not simply being eliminated.

It was the manner in which United allowed a match they appeared to control to completely change direction.

And afterwards, the manager did something he has repeatedly been asked to do during United's difficult start: he accepted responsibility.

From Dream Start to Old Trafford Heartbreak

The night could hardly have begun better.

Teenager Shea Lacey marked his first senior start with a superb eighth-minute goal before Mason Mount doubled United's advantage only two minutes later.

At 2–0, United appeared to have established control.

But Brighton refused to disappear.

Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one back in first-half stoppage time, giving the visitors belief before the interval.

Pascal Groß then levelled in the 65th minute before Maxim De Cuyper completed the comeback four minutes later.

United never found the response they needed.

The final whistle was met by boos from the Old Trafford crowd.

Carrick: “It’s on Me”

Carrick did not attempt to shift responsibility onto his players.

Instead, he accepted the blame for the way the second half unfolded.

The United manager said the team could not accept the way the game had been allowed to slip away and specifically took responsibility for the performance towards the end of the second half.

The admission was significant because United had been in a commanding position after only ten minutes.

For Carrick, the collapse was not something to hide behind.

“It’s on me,” was the essence of his post-match assessment.

The Collapse Did Not Happen in Isolation

Perhaps the most revealing part of Carrick's reaction was his suggestion that the disappointment has been building.

He pointed towards the last-minute Everton goal, the controversial Manchester City defeat and now the Brighton collapse as moments that have contributed to an increasingly frustrated atmosphere around the team.

United had already lost 1–0 to Manchester City in the Premier League before Brighton completed the turnaround at Old Trafford.

Carrick acknowledged that individual setbacks can accumulate until they begin to feel like something much bigger.

That is the challenge facing United now.

They cannot allow the latest defeat to become another chapter in a cycle of disappointment.

A 50-Year Record United Did Not Want

The result also produced a remarkable piece of unwanted history.

United had not previously lost at Old Trafford after taking a 2–0 lead since Tottenham did so in September 1976.

That means Brighton's comeback was the first of its kind at the stadium in half a century.

It also continued United's recent struggles in domestic cup competitions.

After exiting the Carabao Cup and FA Cup early last season, United have now suffered another early League Cup elimination.

The immediate consequence is that Carrick's team have lost another route to silverware before the season has properly settled.

Carrick Wants a Reaction, Not Sympathy

Despite the frustration, Carrick insisted his focus is already on the response.

United travel to Fulham on Sunday knowing another poor result would intensify the scrutiny surrounding the team.

Carrick said what concerns him is not external pressure but winning matches and creating a positive feeling within the squad.

That leaves United with little time to dwell on Brighton.

The manager has accepted responsibility.

Now his players have to show whether they can respond.

For a team that led 2–0 after ten minutes, the most painful part of Wednesday night was not simply losing.

It was watching control disappear — and knowing there was no way back.

Fan Debate

⚽ Goal: Shea Lacey scored his first senior goal for United on his first start.

🔥 Fire: United surrendered a 2–0 lead at Old Trafford.

😲 Shock: Brighton became the first team in 50 years to beat United at home after falling two goals behind.

👍 Like: Carrick publicly accepting responsibility for the collapse.

💬 Comment: Can Manchester United turn their frustration around against Fulham?