Old Trafford is the setting on Wednesday, September 16, as Manchester United take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round of the 2026-27 Carabao Cup.
Both teams will be looking to advance to the next round when they meet in Manchester, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. BST. A penalty shootout will decide the tie if the teams remain level after 90 minutes.
This article will be updated throughout the match with the latest scores, goals, cards, substitutions, VAR decisions, and other key moments.
Manchester United Confirmed Lineup
Manchester United have confirmed their starting XI for tonight’s Carabao Cup third-round clash with Brighton at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick makes several changes after Sunday’s 0-1 derby defeat to Manchester City, giving academy and fringe players an opportunity while keeping a strong core in the side.
Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1):
Karl Darlow; Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Noussair Mazraoui; Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans (c); Shea Lacey, Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford; Benjamin Šeško.
Darlow makes his Manchester United debut in goal, while Lacey gets his first senior start on the right side of the attack. Tielemans captains the team.
Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu are not in the squad. Bruno Fernandes is on the bench after starting against Manchester City on Sunday.
Manchester United substitutes: Senne Lammens, Amass, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Tyler Fletcher, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Joshua Zirkzee.
United remain without Amad Diallo, Carlos Baleba, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton.
Brighton Confirmed Lineup
Brighton have also confirmed their starting XI for the Carabao Cup third-round match at Old Trafford. Fabian Hürzeler has made changes, with Jason Steele starting in goal for the Seagulls.
Brighton XI:
Jason Steele; Yasser Hadjam, Luka Vušković, Pascal Struijk, Costinha; Pascal Groß, Chema Andrés; Kostoulas, Matt O’Riley, Boscagli; Yalcouyé.
Brighton substitutes: Bart Verbruggen, Lewis Dunk, Georginio, Promise David, Osman, Kadioglu, Diego Gómez, Ayari, Maxim De Cuyper.
Brighton remain without several injured players, including Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh, Evan Ferguson, Tzimas, Jack Hinshelwood and Mats Wieffer.
Both teams have rotated their lineups for the Carabao Cup, with Manchester United giving Lacey a first senior start and Darlow a debut. Kick-off at Old Trafford is scheduled for 8pm BST.
Manchester United vs Brighton Match Details
Competition: Carabao Cup, Third Round
Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Kickoff: 8 p.m. BST
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
UK TV: ITV1, Sky Sports Main Event
UK streaming: ITVX, Sky Sports
U.S. streaming: Paramount+
India: FanCode
Manchester United vs Brighton Live Score and Updates
Manchester United 2- 3 Brighton
Kickoff: 8 p.m. BST
Status: Match has kicked off.
1′ Kick off! Manchester United and Brighton get underway at Old Trafford.
3′ Matt O’Riley looks to control the midfield as both rotated sides settle into the match.
5′ Marcus Rashford uses his pace down the left and wins a throw-in deep in Brighton’s half.
7′ GOAL! Shea Lacey curls a brilliant effort into the bottom corner to put Manchester United 1-0 ahead.
9′ GOAL! Mason Mount fires Youri Tielemans’ pass past Jason Steele to double United’s lead.
12′ Brighton try to reset through Pascal Groß as Fabian Hürzeler shows his frustration on the touchline.
13′ United settle into possession after their frantic start and look to tire out Brighton’s midfield.
15′ Matt O’Riley’s through ball for Charalampos Kostoulas is intercepted by Diogo Dalot.
18′ Marcus Rashford forces a save from Jason Steele with a powerful low effort from a tight angle.
22′ Brighton win their first corner through Malick Yalcouyé, but Karl Darlow punches Pascal Groß’s delivery clear.
26′ United remain in control of the tempo as Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven circulate the ball in defense.
26′ Manchester United lead Brighton 2-0, with United ahead 58% to 42% in possession and 4-2 in shots.
29′ Brighton’s tactical changes begin to pay off as their inverted full-backs overload the midfield and force United’s midfielders deeper.
34′ Malick Yalcouyé’s fierce effort from the edge of the box is blocked by Leny Yoro and deflected wide for a corner.
39′ United appeal for a penalty after Benjamin Šeško goes down under pressure from Pascal Struijk, but the referee waves play on and VAR confirms the decision.
43′ Chema Andrés receives the first yellow card after pulling down Youri Tielemans to stop a United counter-attack.
45’+1′ GOAL! Charalampos Kostoulas heads Jaouen Hadjam’s cross past Karl Darlow as Brighton pull one back to make it Manchester United 2-1 Brighton.
45’+3′ Half time! Manchester United lead Brighton 2-1 at Old Trafford.
46′ Kick-off! Brighton get the second half underway at Old Trafford with Manchester United leading 2-1.
49′ Malick Yalcouyé sends a low cross into the six-yard box, but Leny Yoro slides in to clear before Charalampos Kostoulas can finish.
52′ Brighton restart with high intensity, matching United’s press and making it difficult for Youri Tielemans to distribute from midfield.
55′ Benjamin Šeško meets Marcus Rashford’s cross on the volley, but Jason Steele makes an excellent reflex save.
57′ Both managers look to their benches as the relentless tempo continues at Old Trafford.
58′ Jaouen Hadjam receives a yellow card for clipping Shea Lacey during a quick United transition.
64′ GOAL! Pascal Groß fires a crisp low strike past Karl Darlow and into the bottom corner as Brighton equalize to make it 2-2.
65′ Brighton make two substitutions, with Maxim De Cuyper and Diego Gómez replacing Malick Yalcouyé and Matt O’Riley.
66′ Manchester United respond with three changes as Joshua Zirkzee, Kobbie Mainoo and Bryan Mbeumo replace Benjamin Šeško, Andrey Santos and Shea Lacey.
69′ GOAL! Maxim De Cuyper fires Brighton into a 3-2 lead after being picked out by Luka Vušković.
86′ United dominate possession as they push forward, but Brighton remain compact and deny Joshua Zirkzee and Matheus Cunha clear chances.
88′ Bruno Fernandes sends a dipping strike inches over the crossbar.
90′ Four minutes of added time are announced as United continue searching for an equalizer.
90’+2′ Maxim De Cuyper receives a yellow card for stopping a United attack with a cynical trip.
90’+4′ Full time! Brighton complete a stunning comeback to beat Manchester United 3-2 and advance to the Carabao Cup fourth round.
Manchester United vs Brighton Result Today: Carabao Cup Live Score, Updates