Manchester United surrendered a two-goal advantage in a shambolic 3-2 Carabao Cup collapse to Brighton & Hove Albion as loud boos rang around Old Trafford and pressure on boss Michael Carrick went up a notch. The result marked the first time in the Premier League era (1992-93) that Man United lost a home game in which they led by two goals in all competitions -- and the first time in 50 years going back to a 3-2 loss to Tottenham in 1976.

The Red Devils returned to Old Trafford three days after a defeat to 10-man rivals Manchester City that was as painful as it was controversial, but this time they only had themselves to blame. United had made a dream start to Wednesday's tie as academy product Shea Lacey kissed the badge having marked his first start with a goal a day after it emerged that 15-year-old talent JJ Gabriel had requested to leave. Mason Mount added a second in the 10th minute, but Brighton were invited on and deservedly pulled one back through Charalampos Kostoulas just before halftime.

Carrick's men had no answer to the Seagulls' second-half surge, with Pascal Gross coolly leveling before substitute Maxim De Cuyper struck to spark the boos. Fan fury was even louder at the final whistle as United found a new way to make an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit after last year's Grimsby humiliation. The result -- going out at the earliest stage for the second season in a row -- leaves Carrick facing difficult questions, especially having wasted such a wonderful start.

Lacey was among eight changes and made his first United start against the side he was sent off against in the final match before Carrick took charge. Eight months on from that FA Cup exit and the 19-year-old looked set to make headlines for the right reasons, having shown class and confidence to cut onto his left and slam United into an eighth-minute lead.