Manchester United’s manager Michael Carrick took the onus on himself after his team suffered a 3-2 loss against Brighton in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday. United were leading 2-0 against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round but eventually suffered a 3-2 loss, putting pressure on Carrick for the first time during his tenure.

This is the first time in 50 years when United has suffered a loss at Old Trafford despite leading by 2-0. 

Shea Lacey and Mason Mount gave a 2-0 lead to the home team in the first 10 minutes of the game. But Charalampos Kostoulas, and Pascal Groß equalised for the visitors before Maxim De Cuyper scored the match-winning goal in the 70th minute.

United players were booed by the home crowd when they were going back to the tunnel after the end of the match.

“I totally understand the feelings of the supporters,” said Carrick after the match.

“We have to accept it. I totally accept it. It’s on me ultimately. 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 want to win and want to win quickly.”

United will next face Fulham on Sunday and Carrick urged his team to shift their focus on that game.

“We have a big game on Sunday that we have to prepare for,” said Carrick.

“We’re out of this competition and we have to go back to winning football matches. The next game is Sunday. That’s all I’m thinking about right now.”