Michael Carrick Channels Manchester Derby Frustration as Manchester United Focus on League Cup Clash with Brighton

Manchester United are looking for an instant reaction to last weekend's derby disaster when they take on Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday. Sunday was a difficult day for Michael Carrick's side, who were unable to take advantage of neighbours Manchester City being down to 10 men for the majority of the game at Old Trafford. Erling Haaland’s winner made it four wins from four for the blues and one from four for United.

The error of judgement admitted by the referees association following Haaland’s goal only added to the frustration. Unlike last season when United’s lack of cup football meant that bad results festered for at least a week, United are back in action against a Brighton team which eliminated United from the FA Cup at Old Trafford in January. Brighton have enjoyed positive results against United in recent years, though they lost both league games last season. They will be returning to Manchester without Daniel Welbeck, the former United striker who was effective against the club he supported, or Carlos Baleba, the Cameroonian midfielder who has now moved to Old Trafford. Baleba is returning from injury and isn’t expected to play against Brighton.

While the League Cup is the most minor of the four competitions United will play in this season, it offers a much-needed chance for silverware. Carrick was part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s staff which impressed on many levels and finished as high as second in the league, but their undoing was not winning a trophy.

“For me, trophies is the beauty and the feeling of winning, is what we are in football for, what we are in sport for. And certainly what made this club for us to try and win,” said Carrick ahead of the Brighton game at Old Trafford. “So it’s not straightforward in that you decide you want to win, but it's important. I think trophies and achieving things and giving supporters that feeling of the emotion of that is important.”

Asked if he could follow Sir Alex Ferguson's approach of resting senior players and introducing youngsters in the League Cup, Carrick said: “Definitely. They are decisions that we have to make. We played Champions League and made changes during the week, and we’ve changed a little bit as we've gone on. It’s important for us to win football matches and it’s important that we manage the squad as well and keep everyone up to speed, keep everyone ready, keep everyone part of it. We are going into Wednesday trying to win the game.”

Carrick was seething at what he felt was an injustice against his team on Sunday, but hopes that can be channelled positively. “We’ve got to move on, we’ve still got to look at it for ourselves and we’ve got to win games,” said Carrick. “The players have got an edge. I think they have shown that to me since I've been here, and when we have had setbacks and they have bounced back particularly well. So I think they’ve got an edge. It does give you something when something like that happens, to use moving forward.”

Team news sees United dealing with ongoing injuries. Amad Diallo is getting close to a return, and United will check on him as the week progresses. Matthijs de Ligt is in full training, though Carrick did not provide a time frame on his return. Regarding Luke Shaw, who missed the last two games, Carrick noted he could possibly be fit for Brighton, though it is a matter of a few days. With Patrick Dorgu having played at left back in United’s last two matches, Carrick praised the squad depth. Looking ahead to Carlos Baleba, Carrick added: “He will be back in and around the group at some point over the next week or so... He’s a quality player, that’s why we brought him here, and it balances off the dynamics of the midfield in particular well.”