Manchester United are 13th in the Premier League, having taken four points from their first four games: a 2-0 defeat at Hull, 5-2 win against Ipswich, 2-2 draw at Everton and the 1-0 defeat by Manchester City on Sunday. Mitigation regarding the City reverse can be found in the derby coming three days after the Champions League win against Sabah on Thursday, with Enzo Maresca’s side having 48 hours more rest after winning at Porto. So are United, who host Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before visiting Fulham in the league on Sunday, as poor as the table suggests?
Michael Carrick believes Manchester United will have an edge against Brighton in the Carabao Cup owing to the wrong video assistant referee decision that allowed Erling Haaland’s winner in Sunday’s defeat by Manchester City.
United host Fabian Hürzeler’s side on Wednesday aiming to bounce back after Haaland’s 60th-minute strike was judged to be legal by the VAR, who ruled that Enzo Fernández was not interfering with play in the buildup. Pro Ref admitted the goal should not have been allowed and that Matt Donohue, the VAR, had made the wrong decision. He has been stood down for this weekend's Premier League action.
Carrick, speaking before Pro Ref’s statement, was asked whether his players would have an edge against Brighton owing to their annoyance at ruling.
“It does give you something, when something like that happens, to use moving forward," the manager said. "The players have got an edge. They've shown that to me since I've been here. We've had setbacks, and they've bounced back particularly well and had some really good performances and good results."
United have taken four points from their first four games. “We've got to move on [from City loss]; we've got to win games,” said Carrick. “We have done – we've won a lot of games, and we need to continue to do that. I understand it's a new season, and the points tally right now is not what we want it to be. I'm not hiding from that, but it's more of about getting back to winning games, that feeling, getting the habit. It's easier said than done, but we're capable of it.”
Luke Shaw may be available after a knock. Jamie Jackson
