2-0 up, then 3-2 down: How Manchester United suffered a stunning exit from the League Cup

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick, right, leaves the pitch after the English League Cup third round match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion in Manchester. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) Manchester United’s difficult start to the season took another turn for the worse on Wednesday as they surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Brighton and exit the League Cup.United were in control early at Old Trafford, taking a 2-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes. Academy graduate Shea Lacey scored in the eighth minute on his first senior start before Mason Mount doubled the advantage two minutes later.But Brighton fought back and turned the game around after the break. Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one back in first-half stoppage time, while Pascal Gross and Maxim De Cuyper scored after the break to complete the comeback.Boos greeted United at the final whistle as the club suffered a third defeat in six games in all competitions.

Brighton completed a stunning comeback

Kostoulas gave Brighton hope when he scored from a tight angle just before half-time. Gross then created space inside the box before firing past United goalkeeper Karl Darlow in the 65th minute.Brighton took the lead four minutes later. United’s poor defending allowed De Cuyper to punch the ball home from close range.Marcus Rashford had a chance to save United when he got through on goal, but goalkeeper Jason Steele won the one-on-one battle.Defeat means United have crashed out of the League Cup at the earliest stage for the second consecutive season. They were knocked out by fourth placed Grimsby last year.The result is more pressure on manager Michael Carrick, who guided United back to the Champions League last season. United have won just two of their six games this campaign, with only one victory coming in the Premier League.

Villa advance, Everton and Fleetwood win

Aston Villa, meanwhile, enjoyed another cup win despite remaining winless in the Premier League. Tammy Abraham scored twice in a 3-1 win over Coventry, following Villa’s Champions League win against Club Brugge last week.Everton beat Wolverhampton 1-0 with a goal from Charly Alcaraz, while fourth-placed Fleetwood beat second-tier Sheffield United by the same scoreline.United travel to Fulham without a win on Sunday.