Old Trafford witnessed a historic night as Pascal Groß orchestrated an unlikely Carabao Cup comeback victory for Brighton & Hove Albion against Manchester United.

The Seagulls progressed to the fourth round of the competition after overcoming an early two-goal deficit to win 3-2, becoming the first side in 50 years to manage the feat at Old Trafford.

Germany international Groß proved once again why he remains the best-kept secret in English football.

The tactical discipline and mid-game adaptability of the German midfielder continues to separate him from standard squad options in the Premier League.

The quality on show from the 35-year-old proved that he, and not a youngster like Andrey Santos, should have been the club's first midfield signing this summer.

Pascal Groß Steals the Show in Brighton's Carabao Cup win over Manchester United

Having made his FIFA World Cup debut this summer, veteran Brighton midfielder Pascal Groß has started the season in sensational form, and was included in the starting XI for their Carabao Cup game at Old Trafford.

The experienced midfielder demonstrated his complete repertoire playing alongside youngster Chema Andres in the middle of the park.

With the Red Devils 2-0 up, Charalampos Kostoulas latched onto a brilliant, lasered pass from Jaouen Hadjam to pull one back before the break.

In the second half, Groß took complete ownership of the central third—dictating tempo, orchestrating vertical passing lanes, and arriving in the box to score his eighth goal against the Red Devils.

His vision and composure under pressure remain unmatched for a player of his tactical value and price point.

An expert at cycling between playing as a central midfielder and arriving around the box to deliver significant output, Groß created five chances, more than any player on either team managed.

Of the chances he set up, two were big chances but were missed by his teammates. He ended the game with 0.93 xA, an indicator of the quality of the chances he created for his teammates.

He completed 91% of his 64 passes in the middle of the park and made six passes into the final third. He also won 67% of his ground duels, while completing a tackle and an interception, and making four ball recoveries.

Why Manchester United Should Have Targeted Groß Instead of Andrey Santos

Manchester United began their midfield rebuild by signing 22-year-old Andrey Santos for £50 million from rivals Chelsea, with the Brazil international seen as a long-term heir to Casemiro.

While the youngster undoubtedly possesses long-term potential, the primary tactical vulnerability of the club was conveniently overlooked in their recruitment, leaving them prone to struggles.

The Red Devils have struggled to find any semblance of control in their midfield in recent years, and they would have benefitted immensely from signing a player who can control tempo when games break open.

Groß would have been the ideal, plug-and-play solution: an experienced midfield general who excels at press resistance, set-piece delivery, and tactical flexibility across multiple central roles.

The Germany international turned 35 in June, but plays the game like someone who is five years younger. This season in the Premier League, he has covered about 47km in total, as he remains a high-mileage midfielder.

He has contributed two goals and two assists so far in the league, as he continues to contribute significantly to the Seagulls' success.

Consistency and Versatility: The Unsung Pillar of Brighton's Success

Groß's performance at Old Trafford was no flash in the pan, as he has consistently churned out such performances in multiple campaigns at the club.

The German international produces excellent numbers across multiple roles and tactical set-ups, making him the indispensable engine driving the team's success.

Clubs like Chelsea (Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson) and Sunderland (Granit Xhaka) have understood the significance of experience in certain situations and how much of a difference it makes to teams.

A move for Pascal Groß would have been a game-changer for Manchester United in the short-term, but the club missed the opportunity and paid dearly for it last night.