Carrick says he feels no pressure after latest cup mess

Michael Carrick has responded to the backlash following Manchester United’s EFL Cup elimination, while maintaining he does not feel the weight of pressure. According to BBC Sport, the United boss said: “I don’t feel under pressure… Either way, that doesn’t bother me one bit. What bothers me is winning games, having a good feeling around the place and a good feeling around the group to know we’re moving in a good direction.”

Exit with a two-goal lead

United lost at home to Brighton after wasting a 2-0 advantage, a situation that, as BBC Sport notes, had not happened at Old Trafford for 50 years. The article also describes a tense atmosphere around the stadium, including protests outside and inside before Sunday’s defeat to Manchester City.

The piece highlights how, after the match, frustration spilled over toward Carrick and the players. Fans gathered near United’s “singing section” and confronted the staff and squad over what they had just seen.

Lacey’s debut goal lost in the fallout

The main bright spot was Shea Lacey, who scored on his first senior start with an eighth-minute goal. BBC Sport reports that he became the first teenager to score on his first United start since Marcus Rashford in February 2016. However, Carrick lamented that Lacey’s moment—important for him, his family, friends and the academy—ended up overshadowed by the boos and harsher criticism.

The wider context is also sobering: BBC Sport states that under Carrick United have won twice this season (vs newly promoted Ipswich at home and against Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK in the Champions League) but have now lost three times—more defeats than Carrick experienced in his first 17 matches after replacing Ruben Amorim in January.

Brighton’s Hurzeler: “we deserved it”

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler felt his side earned it, saying: “The longer the game went, the more we had control. I thought we deserved to win.” With the club’s mood already fragile, United have one more game before the international break, at Fulham on Sunday.