Brighton knock Man Utd out of Carabao Cup; Villa, Everton, Fleetwood reach Rd 4
Synopsis
Brighton pulled off a stunning Carabao Cup upset at Old Trafford, knocking Manchester United out of the competition despite United fighting back from two goals down. With Aston Villa, Everton, and League Two's Fleetwood Town also through, the fourth round is set for a compelling mix of top-flight and lower-league drama.
Key Takeaways
Brighton knocked Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford on 17 September 2026 .
Manchester United fought back from two goals down but could not complete the comeback.
Aston Villa and Everton both progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Fleetwood Town of League Two also advanced, continuing a notable lower-league cup run.
Brighton & Hove Albion eliminated Manchester United from the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford on 17 September 2026, ending United's domestic cup campaign at the third-round stage. Despite mounting a comeback from two goals down, United ultimately fell short, as Brighton held on to advance to the fourth round.
Key Results from Round 3
Manchester United showed resilience by clawing back a two-goal deficit at Old Trafford, but their efforts proved insufficient as Brighton secured a memorable away victory. The result deepens the pressure on United's management, with yet another early exit from a domestic knockout competition at their home ground.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa and Everton both progressed smoothly to the fourth round. The night's standout lower-league story came from Fleetwood Town of League Two, who booked their place in the last 16, demonstrating the Carabao Cup's reputation as a stage where lower-division clubs can cause upsets.
Brighton's Victory at Old Trafford
Brighton's win at Old Trafford is a significant scalp for the south-coast club, underlining their growing stature in English football. Coming back from two down only to lose would be a bitter pill for Manchester United, whose cup form has been a recurring concern in recent seasons. This result continues a troubling pattern of early domestic exits for United.
Fleetwood Town's Notable Run
Fleetwood Town's progression to round four is one of the cup's feel-good stories. The League Two side, competing four tiers below the Premier League, have shown that the Carabao Cup remains genuinely competitive across the divisions. Their run will be widely watched as the draw for the fourth round approaches.
What Happens Next
The fourth-round draw will now determine the path for Aston Villa, Everton, Brighton, and Fleetwood Town. For Manchester United, attention turns squarely to the Premier League and Europa League, with their Carabao Cup hopes extinguished for another season.
Point of View
With mid-table ambitions now routinely punishing the traditional giants. Fleetwood Town's run, meanwhile, is a reminder that the Carabao Cup still functions as a genuine leveller — something the competition's detractors often overlook when calling for its reform.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who knocked Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup?
Brighton & Hove Albion eliminated Manchester United from the Carabao Cup in the third round on 17 September 2026, winning at Old Trafford despite United recovering from two goals down.
Which teams progressed to Carabao Cup Round 4?
Brighton, Aston Villa, Everton, and Fleetwood Town all progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. Fleetwood Town, a League Two side, was the standout lower-division team to advance.
What happened in the Manchester United vs Brighton Carabao Cup match?
Manchester United fell two goals behind at Old Trafford before mounting a comeback, but they were unable to overturn the deficit and were eliminated by Brighton in the third round.
Why is Fleetwood Town's Carabao Cup progress significant?
Fleetwood Town competes in League Two, four tiers below the Premier League. Their advancement to the fourth round highlights the Carabao Cup's tradition of giving lower-league clubs a platform to compete against top-flight opposition.
What competition does Manchester United focus on after their Carabao Cup exit?
With their Carabao Cup campaign over, Manchester United will shift focus to the Premier League and the Europa League for the remainder of the season.
