INTERNATIONAL

Carrick's United eye Brighton cup clash after derby defeat & UCL return

📅 September 26, 2026 · By Liberia Sports Live · AI-assisted match report · 👁 1

Back in Europe's biggest stage

It has been a momentous month for Manchester United fans, as the club has returned to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in nearly three years. Manager Michael Carrick, who was handed the permanent job after guiding the club to a top-five Premier League finish, led United into the competition's new league phase format. United's group stage opponents include heavyweights Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid, as well as Roma, Sporting CP, RB Leipzig, Villarreal, Sabah, and Como. United kicked off their European campaign at home, with Carrick reportedly hailing it as "a good game from start to finish" after United beat Azerbaijani side Sabah FK on Matchday 1 in early September. The next Champions League matchday for United is not until 13-14 October.

Derby defeat hurts

United's Premier League form has been mixed. Most painfully, they fell to a 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City on 13 September, with Erling Haaland netting his ninth Manchester derby goal and fourth of the season after a VAR review cleared the goal. United had earlier struck the post through Kobbie Mainoo and were denied by a superb late save from Gianluigi Donnarumma when Bryan Mbeumo was sent clear. The result kept City in hot pursuit of leaders Arsenal. United currently sit 12th in the Premier League table as they continue to find their feet under Carrick.

Cup focus this week

With the international break now behind them and no Premier League fixture this immediate weekend, United's attention turns to the EFL Cup. United, as a European club, entered the competition at the third round stage, where they were drawn against fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. The match is scheduled for the week of 26 September, giving Carrick a chance to rotate and give fringe players valuable minutes ahead of a congested schedule. Training pictures this week were captioned "Up for the cup!" on the club's official channels, suggesting a positive mood at Carrington.

Coaching staff update

Off the pitch, United made a quiet but notable coaching appointment, confirming Connor King as their new assistant first-team goalkeeping coach, having joined from Burnley.

Transfer talk

(Rumour) The biggest story swirling around Old Trafford concerns highly-rated academy product JJ Gabriel. The youngster has reportedly submitted a request to have his contract terminated, and multiple sources suggest he has reached a "first major agreement" over his next move. Barcelona are said to be his priority destination, with Spain's top clubs locked in a battle for his signature. United are said to be increasingly resigned to losing the starlet. Reports also indicate United have already identified a potential replacement valued at around £16 million. Meanwhile, (rumour) United are said to be monitoring Crystal Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell as a potential January signing, though Liverpool and Chelsea are also credited with interest. Former United midfielder Paul Scholes has publicly criticised the club's summer transfer business, singling out one signing in particular as emblematic of poor planning — a comment that has added to the noise surrounding Carrick's rebuild.

Sources

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