Michael Carrick responds to Manchester United fan boos after 'unacceptable' Carabao Cup humiliation

United led 2-0 early on but eased off the gas and ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat. It was the first time since 1976 they had squandered a two-goal lead to lose at home.

It was no surprise, then, that United incurred the wrath of the home support, earning spirited boos as they made their way back to the dressing room.

Speaking at full time, Carrick felt it was fair enough: “I totally understand the feelings of the supporters. We have to accept it. I totally accept it.

Michael Carrick and his side were booed off after their Carabao Cup exit

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“It's on me ultimately: as a team, what we look like, how we play and what results you get. I take that. I'll take the praise, I'll take the criticism and the upset.

“I totally understand it for the way the game went. We have got to win games.”

The Brighton defeat compounds United’s grim start to the season, who sit 13th in the Premier League after four matches and have now fallen at the first hurdle in the Carabao Cup. He must visit Fulham this weekend in one last league outing before the international break.

Carrick continued, describing the United performance as ‘unacceptable’.

“We can't accept that as a group. I take responsibility for it. The performance towards the end of the second half, that's on me.

“We'll all be better. We have to be better. We have a big game on Sunday that we have to prepare for. We're out of this competition and we have to go back to winning football matches.

“It doesn't feel good at the moment. It doesn't feel good. We have to go back to winning football matches.

“We want to win and want to win quickly. The next game is Sunday. That's all I'm thinking about right now.”