Fabian Hurzeler delivers concerning Manchester United verdict after Carabao Cup clash | OneFootball

Brighton have dumped Man Utd out of two cup competitions in 2026

Fabian Hurzeler has suggested the difference between Brighton and Manchester United is “structure”.

Brighton have a history of getting results against the so-called bigger teams in the division, whether it is in the Premier League, Carabao Cup or the FA Cup.

The Seagulls offered a reminder of this on Wednesday night as they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Old Trafford, knocking Man United out of the Carabao Cup at the third round, eight months on from doing the same in the FA Cup.

Man United had raced into a two-goal lead with Shea Lacey and Mason Mount finding the net inside the opening ten minutes, but Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one back for Brighton just before half-time and that kick-started the comeback.

Pascal Gross equalised just after the hour mark, before Maxim De Cuyper scored the winner in the 69th minute.

Speaking after the game Hurzeler discussed why Brighton have been able to punch above their weight for and made an observation that may concern Man Utd fans.

“We are a club that is well structured, we are a club, and I think it’s very important to emphasise this, that has had high expectations,” he said. “We want to grow and we want to challenge the establishment in a consistent way.

Cup exit: Manchester United

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“We all need to focus on our daily behaviours because daily behaviours create habits and habits create this consistently to really challenge the establishment.

“I always try to give my best, together with my staff, together with the players to make our supporters proud.

“We know that we need everyone to grow as a team and we want to go step by step, but what we definitely have is a great culture, our culture is always our foundation and our foundation is the base of every game.”