Manchester United's early exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Grimsby Town last season remains a vivid memory for many supporters. That shock defeat has become almost synonymous with the tenure of former United manager Ruben Amorim, marking a low point that still lingers in the club’s recent history.
While Wednesday's home loss to Brighton did not carry the same historic weight, it did echo some of the same unsettling themes for Michael Carrick, the man who succeeded Amorim at the helm. United’s captain on the day, Youri Tielemans, confessed after the match that once the visitors went two goals ahead, his side simply stopped playing with purpose – a sentiment that was plainly visible in the way the game unfolded. From roughly the 20‑minute mark onward, it was evident that Brighton were in control and that the contest was heading toward a one‑sided conclusion.
Even with the introduction of attacking options such as Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, the Red Devils failed to generate any meaningful threat. This lack of impact is likely to be the primary concern for head coach Carrick. Since his return to Old Trafford in January, Carrick has endured a handful of defeats but has consistently defended his squad, highlighting positive aspects of each performance. Against Brighton, however, there was little to salvage; the team looked flat, disjointed and unable to mount a credible comeback.
When Carrick and his backroom staff first arrived, they were praised for tightening the defensive shape. The early season saw impressive victories over rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, achievements that were largely attributed to the contributions of defensive specialists such as Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans, who all helped to stabilise the back line. Nevertheless, the same defence that once appeared resolute is now showing worrying cracks.
United have conceded two goals in three of their four Premier League fixtures this campaign, and the Brighton match exposed those frailties once again. One of the goals was a clear mistake from goalkeeper Karl Darlow, but beyond the individual errors, the collective organisation of the back four seemed chaotic and lacking cohesion.
A recurring problem for Carrick is the left‑back position. Although he has not publicly labelled it a specific weakness, the issue is evident.
Luke Shaw, United’s only experienced left‑back, has missed the last three games due to a minor injury. Given his age and a history of niggling problems – despite a commendable availability record last season – it was arguably shortsighted not to reinforce that area during the summer transfer window. Carrick has experimented with Noussair Mazraoui in the role, but the Moroccan appears to have slipped down the pecking order, with the less seasoned Patrick Dorgu preferred for the Manchester derby loss. Meanwhile, the young academy product Harry Amass does not seem to be in the club’s long‑term plans for the left side.
The question now is how United will address this deficiency for the remainder of the season. It may feel premature to question Carrick’s job security after only a few weeks of the new campaign, especially since the team still sits atop the league table in terms of points accumulated since his January appointment. Yet, as Carrick himself admitted, moments such as Ainsley Maitland‑Niles’ equaliser for Everton, a contentious VAR decision against Manchester City, and the recent collapse to Brighton have altered the narrative.
Should United suffer another defeat – for instance, a loss at Fulham on Sunday, broadcast live on Sky Sports – the conversation will inevitably turn to whether Carrick can guide the club out of the current storm. While that debate may belong to a later date, the head coach does deserve some empathy given the constraints he faces. United’s transfer activity this summer was notably muted, with few departures and limited incoming reinforcements. This lack of movement has hampered the squad’s ability to address clear weaknesses.
The left‑back issue, for example, should have been a priority. Additionally, with Benjamin Šeško nursing a shin injury throughout the summer, the club might have benefitted from signing a temporary No 9 to share the burden, rather than relying on Mbeumo and Cunha in unfamiliar positions. Both forwards have struggled to recapture the form they displayed under Carrick’s guidance last season. In the broader picture, until United can execute a comprehensive overhaul in a single transfer window, they will remain trapped in a cycle of incremental upgrades, often relying on players inherited from previous regimes.
This pattern likely contributed to the boos that echoed around Old Trafford after the Brighton defeat – not solely a reaction to the performance, but a manifestation of fan frustration with a perceived repeat of past cycles and a false dawn after an initially promising start under a new manager. It is still early days, and Carrick merits patience for the achievements he delivered last season. Nevertheless, he must now navigate these choppy waters, steering a ship that is currently veering off course. If he can halt the downward spiral – even without an immediate victory over Fulham, provided the performance shows improvement – time may grant him the opportunity to bring Manchester United back onto a steadier trajectory.