2-0 up, then 3-2 down: How Man United suffered stunning League Cup exit

Manchester United's head coach Michael Carrick, right, leaves the field after the English League Cup third round soccer 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 to Brighton and exit the English League Cup.United looked in control early at Old Trafford, racing into a 2-0 lead within the opening 10 minutes.

Academy graduate Shea Lacey scored in the eighth minute on his first senior start, before Mason Mount doubled the advantage just 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 interval to complete the comeback.Boos greeted United at the final whistle as the club suffered its third defeat in six games in all competitions.

Brighton complete stunning comeback

Kostoulas gave Brighton hope when he scored from a tight angle just before halftime. Gross then created space inside the box before firing past United goalkeeper Karl Darlow in the 65th minute.Four minutes later, Brighton took the lead. United’s poor defending allowed De Cuyper to poke the ball home from close range.

Marcus Rashford had a chance to rescue United when he ran through on goal, but goalkeeper Jason Steele won the one-on-one battle.

The defeat means United have been knocked out of the League Cup at the earliest stage for the second straight season. They were eliminated by fourth-tier Grimsby last year.The result adds more pressure on coach Michael Carrick, who led United back into the Champions League last season. United have won only two of their six games this campaign, with just one victory coming in the Premier League.

Villa advance, Everton and Fleetwood win

Aston Villa, meanwhile, enjoyed another cup victory despite remaining winless in the Premier League. Tammy Abraham scored twice in a 3-1 win over Coventry, following Villa’s Champions League victory against Club Brugge last week.Everton beat Wolverhampton 1-0 through Charly Alcaraz’s goal, while fourth-tier Fleetwood defeated second-tier Sheffield United by the same scoreline.United next travel to winless Fulham on Sunday.