Manchester United fans have hit out at INEOS and believe they didn't back Michael Carrick enough in the summer transfer window. They voiced their frustrations after crashing out of the Carabao Cup following tonight's 3-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Carrick's men came into the game off the back of a controversial defeat to Manchester City in the derby. They looked to have put that setback behind them when Shea Lacey scored a superb eighth minute opener.
Mason Mount made it two-nil just two minutes later but United then collapsed, allowing Brighton back into the game. Charalampos Kostoulas netted on the stroke of half-time before Pascal Groß was inevitably on target at Old Trafford again.
Maxim De Cruyper came off the bench to score the winner in the 70th minute as the Seagulls sealed a sensational comeback victory. But for Carrick it just piles on more pressure amid a disappointing start to his first season as permanent head coach.
A night of regrets for INEOS as Manchester United stumble again
United have now suffered three defeats in their opening six games of the season in all competitions. Tonight might possibly have been their worst given that they had a victory in their hands and blew it away.
In fact, this was the first time they have been beaten after taking a two-nil lead at home in 50 years. A damning reflection of where this team is at and perhaps a wake-up call to INEOS that they didn't do enough during the summer.
Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos arrived but there were clear issues in other areas of Carrick's squad. Deciding not to move for a new left-back always looked likely to prove consequential.
In defence, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are still developing and perhaps a more experienced option is needed to provide competition for Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez. There remains question marks in attack too as Benjamin Sesko has blown hot and cold and Joshua Zirkzee's goalscoring record fails to convince.
INEOS Under Huge Criticism From Frustrated Fans
Some United fans sympathise with Carrick who oversaw an incredible turnaround during his caretaker stint last season. He guided the Red Devils to a third-placed finish, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
One fan can't look past the fact that INEOS decided to settle on just three midfield signings in the summer:
"I'll be honest, I have never cared about the League Cup, and still don't, but this has been a really poor start to the season. And it was always on the cards. Club hasn't backed Carrick and it shows. We needed at least 3 more bodies."
Another voiced their concerns with the summer business, particularly questioning whether INEOS are good enough to be calling the shots:
"Manchester United needed a LB and CB this summer Ineos did a good job convincing people it was just LB they didn’t address after the midfield. This is the same regime people trust with the money from a Bruno sale, trust me when I tell you they don’t want to sell him because signing a replacement isn’t something they want to do right now. Carrick has a few strengths but a lot of weaknesses and Ineos haven’t helped by doing the bare minimum when it comes to recruitment!"
One supporter expects United's managerial merry-go-round to continue:
"The cycle will continue, Carrick will get sacked, new manager bounce, INEOS still a problem, new manger sacked."
Another insisted:"The INEOS era has been a complete failure man."
One wrote: "INEOS kneecapping this team by not signing any defenders, we have numbers but not quality in that dept."
INEOS have been in charge of United's sporting operations since February 2024 after completing a deal to buy a 27.7% stake in the club. A rebuild has taken place but on nights like tonight, alarm bells are ringing about recruitment decisions and whether the co-owners can get the club challenging for major honours again.
