Manchester United’s early exit from the Carabao Cup at Grimsby Town last season remains a vivid memory for many supporters. That defeat has become almost synonymous with the brief tenure of former manager Rubén Amorim, marking a low point in the club's recent history. While the recent loss at Old Trafford to Brighton may not carry the same historic weight, there are unsettling parallels for Michael Carrick, the man who succeeded Amorim.
Youri Tielemans, United's captain on the day of the Brighton defeat, confessed after the match that once the team fell behind 2-0, they simply stopped competing. The lack of intensity was evident from about the 20-minute mark, when Brighton began to dominate proceedings. Despite the introduction of several attacking options—Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha—United could not generate any meaningful threat. This inability to respond will likely be a major source of concern for Carrick.
Since taking charge in January, Carrick has weathered a handful of setbacks, often opting to defend his squad and highlight any positive aspects of their displays. Against Brighton, however, there was little to salvage. The manager’s usual optimism was absent, and the performance offered no clear redemption.
When Carrick and his coaching team first arrived, they were praised for tightening the defensive structure. The revamped back line, bolstered by the arrivals of Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans, produced impressive victories over rivals Manchester City and Arsenal. Yet the same defence now appears vulnerable; United have conceded two goals in three of their four Premier League matches this season.
The Brighton game exposed these defensive frailties once more. One of the goals resulted from a clear mistake by goalkeeper Karl Darlow, but beyond the individual errors, the back four lacked cohesion and positional awareness. Their shape was disjointed, and the collective understanding that once made United hard to break down seemed to have evaporated. Left‑back remains a glaring issue for Carrick.
Although he has not publicly singled out the position as a weakness, the problem is evident. Luke Shaw, United’s only experienced left‑back, has missed the last three fixtures due to a minor injury.
Given Shaw’s age and his history of recurring injuries—despite an impressive availability record last season—it was arguably shortsighted not to reinforce that area during the summer transfer window. Carrick has tried to plug the gap with Noussair Mazraoui, but the Moroccan full‑back appears to have slipped down the pecking order, with the less seasoned Patrick Dorgu being preferred for the Manchester derby loss.
Meanwhile, young prospect Harry Amass does not seem to be in the long‑term plans for the role. The pressing question, then, is how United will address the left‑back vacancy for the remainder of the campaign. It may seem premature to question Carrick’s job security after only a few weeks of the new season, especially since the team still holds the highest points total accumulated since his return in January. Nevertheless, the manager himself acknowledged that moments such as Ainsley Maitland‑Niles’ equaliser for Everton, the controversial VAR decision against Manchester City, and now the disheartening collapse to Brighton have altered the atmosphere around Old Trafford.
Should United suffer another defeat—say, a loss to Fulham on Sunday, broadcast live on Sky Sports—there will inevitably be uncomfortable debates about whether Carrick can guide the club out of the current storm. While such discussions may be premature, the head coach does deserve empathy for the squad he has inherited. The lack of significant player departures and acquisitions this summer has limited United’s ability to reinforce key areas.
Yet this shortfall does not absolve the club of responsibility for addressing obvious weaknesses. The left‑back position, as highlighted, should have been a priority. Moreover, with Benjamin Šeško still nursing a shin injury throughout the summer, United might have benefited from securing a temporary No.9 to share the scoring burden, rather than relying on Mbeumo and Cunha in roles that do not suit them.
Both forwards have struggled to recapture the form they displayed under Carrick’s guidance last season. Ultimately, until United can execute a comprehensive overhaul in a single transfer window, they will remain trapped in a cycle of incremental upgrades using players left over from previous regimes. This perpetual state of partial reinforcement likely contributed to the boos heard from the stands after the Brighton loss—not merely a reaction to that single performance, but a manifestation of fan frustration with a recurring pattern of unfulfilled promise. Although it is still early days, and Carrick deserves time to build on the progress he achieved last season, the waters he must navigate are undeniably choppy.
The true test will be whether he can arrest the downward spiral, even if a win against Fulham does not materialise immediately. A solid, competitive display could buy him valuable time, allowing the club to steer the ship back onto a steadier course.