Manchester United will host Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford on Wednesday 16th September, 2026. The match comes at a crucial stage in the early season and both teams are hoping to win the domestic cup competition. The match starts at 8:00 PM BST on September 17 (12:30 AM IST on September 17 for viewers in India).
Manchester United will look to respond to Derby defeat
United enter the Carabao Cup tie after a tough Premier League weekend and lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the Manchester Derby on September 13. The result came despite City being reduced to 10 men for much of the match, so it is a chance for Michael Carrick’s side to respond on the field.
United's league campaign has been mixed in nature so far. They lost 2-0 to Hull on the opening day, then defeated Ipswich 5-2, drew 2-2 with Everton and then suffered the derby defeat. Bruno Fernandes has been one of the team's most attacking contributors, with three goals and an assist before the Brighton match.
Brighton Arrive With Strong Attacking Form
Brighton have started the season with a creative approach and have scored 13 goals in their first four Premier League games, the latest match preview says. Their league performance has included a 5-0 win against Coventry, a 4-3 loss to Chelsea and a 1-1 draw with Leeds.
So the Seagulls will go into Old Trafford with confidence and have attacking options. Malick Yalcoue has also attracted attention after his recent performances while Pascal Gross provided two assists in the 5-0 win over Coventry.
Where can you watch Manchester United vs Brighton?
The match will be broadcast on FanCode for viewers in India. The ESPN broadcast guide lists FanCode among the streaming options for the Carabao Cup match.
In the UK, the match will be shown on ITV1 and Sky Sports Main Event, ESPN reported.
Match: Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion. Competition: Carabao Cup, Third Round. Date: Wednesday 16 September 2026. Kick-off: 8:00 PM BST / 12:30 AM IST, September 17. Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester. India: FanCode. UK: ITV1, Sky Sports Main Event
What’s to expect from the match?
The match could be a fascinating one for United to regain momentum and Brighton to regain confidence in their attacking ability. United will also need to be very careful in a busy period and Brighton will want to take advantage of any of the defensive openings.
The Carabao Cup can also provide opportunities for squad players and younger footballers, so the starting line-ups will have an important bearing on the tactical shape of the game. Manchester United has not revealed their final XI ahead of kick-off.
