Manchester United welcome Brighton to Old Trafford on Wednesday night for a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Man United will be looking for a response after Sunday’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the derby. Michael Carrick’s side have won just one of their opening four Premier League matches this season.
Brighton, meanwhile, have made an impressive start to the campaign. They sit fourth in the Premier League after four games and thrashed Coventry City 5-0 on Sunday.
The Seagulls have scored 13 goals in their opening four league matches, so United face a difficult test despite having home advantage.
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What are the best betting tips for Manchester United vs Brighton?
Manchester United to win
I am backing United to respond to Sunday’s derby defeat and book their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
This is not an easy tie, though. Brighton have made an excellent start to the season and arrive at Old Trafford after putting five past Coventry on Sunday.
United will need to improve considerably from their derby performance, but the Carabao Cup should allow Carrick to rotate his side and bring some fresh legs into the team.
Brighton have also shown that they are more than capable of winning at Old Trafford, so I would not expect this to be straightforward. However, I still think United have enough quality at home to edge it.
Benjamin Šeško to score
Šeško is the player I like most in the goalscorer market.
The striker has already shown his ability to make an impact despite limited minutes, and the Carabao Cup gives him another opportunity to build his confidence and sharpness.
Carrick has also highlighted the different threat Šeško provides in attack, particularly his physical qualities and ability to stretch the opposition defence.
With United expected to create chances at Old Trafford, I can see Šeško finding the net.
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Manchester United over 1.5 team goals
I also like United to score at least twice.
Brighton have been prolific themselves this season, but their attacking approach can leave spaces for opponents to exploit. They have conceded in three of their four Premier League matches so far.
United have scored five against Ipswich and four against Sabah at Old Trafford already this season, while Brighton’s last visit to the stadium ended in a 3-0 defeat.
A couple of United goals looks achievable if Carrick’s side start quickly.
Where can I watch Manchester United vs Brighton?
Manchester United vs Brighton kicks off at 8 pm BST on Wednesday 16 September 2026 at Old Trafford.
The Carabao Cup third-round tie will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and ITV1, with streaming available through NOW and ITVX.
What have the managers said?
Michael Carrick
Carrick will be looking for a reaction from his players after Sunday’s derby defeat, with United beginning their Carabao Cup campaign against a Brighton side in excellent form.
The United boss has previously praised the different qualities Šeško brings to his attack, with the summer signing expected to play a prominent role in the cup.
“He offers a different kind of threat.”
Carrick will also be hoping his squad can handle another demanding week, with United having played in the Champions League before Sunday’s derby and now facing Brighton just three days later.
Fabian Hurzeler
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler will be delighted with his side’s 5-0 win at Coventry on Sunday, but has warned his players not to get carried away.
The Seagulls moved into the top four with the victory and have scored 13 goals in their opening four league matches.
“We have to be very humble in these moments. Don’t take these things for granted.”
Hurzeler also praised Brighton’s defensive balance after keeping a clean sheet at Coventry, but United will provide a much tougher test at Old Trafford.
What is Manchester United’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Šeško.
Injured: Amad Diallo, Tom Heaton, Carlos Baleba.
Doubts: Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw.
United are expected to rotate for the Carabao Cup, although Šeško could be given another start as he continues to build his match fitness. Luke Shaw has returned to training but remains a doubt, while Amad, Heaton and Baleba are unavailable.
What is Brighton’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Verbruggen; De Cuyper, Boscagli, Dunk, Kadıoğlu; Gómez, Groß; Ayari, Yalcouyé, Osman; Kostoulas.
Injured: Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, Georginio Rutter, Mats Wieffer.
Brighton are also expected to rotate after their emphatic win at Coventry, although Hurzeler has plenty of attacking options available. Kostoulas scored at the weekend and could retain his place after opening his Premier League account for the season.
Score prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Brighton
I expect United to have enough to get through, but Brighton’s current form makes this a dangerous fixture for Carrick’s side.
The visitors have scored freely this season, so I can see them getting on the scoresheet. However, with home advantage and Šeško leading the attack, I expect United to edge an entertaining cup tie.
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