Manchester United crashed out of the Carabao Cup after surrendering a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

United appeared to be cruising after teenager Shea Lacey opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Mason Mount doubled the advantage just two minutes later.

Brighton, however, pulled themselves back into the contest shortly before half-time when Charalampos Kostoulas scored in first-half stoppage time, reducing United’s lead to 2-1 going into the break.

The visitors completed the turnaround after the interval.

Pascal Gross levelled for Brighton in the 65th minute before substitute Maxim De Cuyper struck four minutes later to put the visitors 3-2 ahead. Brighton held on to the lead and booked their place in the last 16 of the competition.

The result marked the first time in 50 years that Manchester United had lost a home match after leading by two goals. The previous occasion came in September 1976, when Tottenham Hotspur also recovered to beat United 3-2.

The final whistle was greeted by boos from sections of the Old Trafford crowd as another disappointing result added pressure to United’s difficult start to the season.

Manager Michael Carrick accepted responsibility for the collapse, saying United could not accept the manner of their second-half performance.

The defeat comes days after United lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the Premier League and leaves Carrick’s side with another early domestic cup exit.

United were eliminated from the League Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town on penalties last season before also losing 2-1 at home to Brighton in the FA Cup third round. Reuters reported that last season was the first since 1981-82 in which United failed to win a round in either domestic cup competition.

Wednesday’s result extended that poor cup sequence, with Brighton once again responsible for ending United’s hopes of domestic silverware.

Despite scoring twice inside the opening 10 minutes, United were unable to regain control after Brighton’s first goal, with the visitors turning the match around during a decisive four-minute spell in the second half.

Brighton’s official match centre confirms the sequence of goals, including Gross’ equaliser and De Cuyper’s winning strike in the 69th minute.

United will now have to turn their attention back to the Premier League as Carrick looks for a response from a side that has endured a difficult opening stretch of the campaign.