Manchester United host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday, with Michael Carrick’s side looking to respond after a controversial 1-0 derby defeat to 10-man Manchester City.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton arrive full of confidence, sitting fourth in the Premier League after a 5-0 demolition of newly promoted Coventry City. Brighton have won seven of their last 11 meetings with United across all competitions, four of those victories coming at Old Trafford, and the Seagulls also eliminated the Red Devils from this season’s FA Cup back in January.
United, six-time winners of this competition, have not progressed past the second round since 2022-23, having been dumped out by fourth-tier Grimsby Town at this stage last season. Wednesday’s tie also marks a reunion for Carlos Baleba, United’s summer signing from Brighton, though the midfielder remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
Manchester United vs Brighton – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST
- Venue: Old Trafford
- Referee: Farai Hallam (no VAR)
- Last meeting: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-3 Manchester United (Premier League, final day of 2025-26 season, May 2026)
Team news
Manchester United
Man United will be without Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Amad Diallo, Tom Heaton and Carlos Baleba, all of whom remain sidelined with injuries. Luke Shaw is a fitness doubt after missing the derby, with Patrick Dorgu or Noussair Mazraoui in line to deputise at left-back, while Benjamin Sesko is set for his second start of the season ahead of Matheus Cunha up front.
Brighton
Brighton’s lengthy absentee list includes Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, Zadok Yohanna, Mats Wieffer, Stefanos Tzimas and Evan Ferguson. Jason Steele is confirmed to start in goal, with Hurzeler set to manage his squad’s energy carefully, though Pascal Gross, who has scored more goals against United than any other opponent, is expected to continue in midfield.
Form
Manchester United
Man United’s start to the season has been underwhelming, with just one win from their opening four Premier League matches and no clean sheets recorded. Sunday’s derby defeat, in which Erling Haaland’s goal was allowed to stand despite a VAR review, has increased scrutiny on Carrick, and United already sit eight points off the pace at the top of the table.
Brighton
Brighton have made an excellent start under Hurzeler, sitting fourth with 13 goals scored in four matches, their best return at this stage of any of their 14 top-flight campaigns. Sunday’s 5-0 win over Coventry was their joint-second biggest Premier League victory in the club’s history, with Bart Verbruggen also recording his fourth clean sheet in six matches across all competitions.
Predicted lineups
Manchester United predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui; Mainoo, Santos; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Sesko
Brighton & Hove Albion predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Steele; Kadioglu, Dunk, Vuskovic, Boscagli; Gross, Ayari; Gomez, Yalcouye, De Cuyper; Kostoulas
How to watch Manchester United vs Brighton?
The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and ITV1.
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