Carrick's United meet Brighton as Carabao Cup serves up four ties

Michael Carrick leads Manchester United into a Carabao Cup third-round tie with Brighton at Old Trafford on 16 September 2026.

Kick-off is 8pm BST. The match is part of a four-game clockwatch across England, with Coventry v Aston Villa starting at the same time. Everton v Wolves and Fleetwood v Sheffield United both start at 7:45pm BST, according to The Guardian.

The Carabao Cup is English football's early-season knockout cup. Lose once and you are out. For big clubs it is a chance to rotate. For smaller clubs it is a shot at a famous night.

United go into this one with Carrick in the dugout. He took charge after Ruben Amorim's sacking. The tie at Old Trafford is United's first match in this season's competition, played at home against Brighton, as confirmed by Manchester United.

Team news brought a fresh look. United start with Darlow in goal, behind Mazraoui, Yoro, Heaven and Dalot. Andrey Santos and Tielemans sit in midfield, with Lacey, Mount and Rashford supporting Sesko up front. Brighton reply with Steele in goal, Costinha, Vuskovic, Boscagli, Stuijk and Hadjam across the back, Chema, O'Riley and Gross in midfield, and Yalcouye and Kostoulas in attack.

Coventry v Aston Villa is the other 8pm tie. Coventry start Bentley in goal, with Latibeaudiere, Amenda, Mfuni and Thomas in defence, then Yirenkyi, Hamer, Torp, Sakamento, Gboho and Cherif. Villa name Bizot in goal, Wan-Bissaka, Harwood-Bellis, Mings and Ruggeri in defence, Bogarde, Barkley and McGinn in midfield, and Mbaye, Abraham and Hemmings up top.

Everton also named a strong side for their home tie with Wolves. Pickford starts in goal, with Maitland-Niles, O'Brien, Keane and Mykolenko behind Garner, Hackney and Dewsbury-Hall. Dibling, Grealish and Barry lead the attack.

This third round is spread over two weeks. The EFL confirmed ties take place across the weeks beginning 8 September and running through 17 September 2026, according to the EFL. United's tie with Brighton was shown live on Sky Sports+.

What makes this stand out is the mix. A new manager finding his feet. Young starters next to senior internationals. And four crowds, from Old Trafford to Fleetwood, sharing the same simple maths. Win and move on.