Why Man Utd Are Desperate to Win a Match Most Top Clubs Would Overlook

Beyond simply winning games, Michael Carrick stated ahead of Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion that Manchester United need to rediscover "that feeling" of victory.

Following a brilliant second half of last season that culminated in a third-place Premier League finish and a long-awaited return to Champions League football, the Red Devils have had an inconsistent start to 2026–27.

A loss to Hull City came as a major surprise, they squandered a chance to defeat Everton, and were beaten by Manchester City despite having a numerical advantage and dominating virtually every key statistic apart from the scoreline, questionable refereeing decisions aside.

United have netted five goals against Ipswich Town and four against Sabah in the Premier League and Champions League, respectively. Yet finding consistency has remained an ongoing struggle.

"It's important for us to win football matches," was a recurring theme throughout Carrick's pre-match press conference ahead of Brighton's visit. The particular competition is almost secondary to that fundamental goal.

Opportunity to Build Momentum

Most top-club managers pay little heed to the Carabao Cup at this early stage. Mikel Arteta opted to make nine changes from his Ipswich starting lineup on Tuesday, including handing a spot to 16-year-old Max Dowman. Andoni Iraola made 10 alterations for Liverpool in their fixture. The competition only becomes a genuine priority in the later rounds when silverware is genuinely within sight.

Beating Brighton has no direct impact on the Premier League, with United heading to Fulham on Sunday, but a strong display and a win — even from a likely rotated side — would still generate positive momentum and a boost in confidence.

The Carabao Cup is probably United's least pressing objective this season, but an early exit this week would only deepen a growing sense of anxiety. Losing streaks are hard to shake, and with Brighton potentially rotating their own squad, this represents a real chance.

For Carrick personally, a win would also silence those looking to criticize him.

This United squad is not drastically different from last season, with Casemiro being the only notable first-team departure. The Brazilian had an exceptional year, but the midfield has since been overhauled. The goalkeeper, defensive unit, and attack remain largely unchanged, further strengthened by Marcus Rashford's return. The talent is clearly present — we've witnessed it — but the self-belief may not yet be fully restored.

A Trophy Is a Trophy

Beyond its value in building momentum ahead of other competitions, the Carabao Cup remains a genuinely meaningful piece of silverware.

English football fans often undervalue it, but Pep Guardiola took it seriously and lifted the trophy in four of his first five seasons at Manchester City. It was also among the last pieces of silverware he won before departing the club this past summer.

Carrick is firmly convinced that trophies are the lifeblood of Manchester United. The club has drifted from its former heights, but five trophies over the past decade still puts them ahead of the vast majority.

"Trophies is the beauty and the feeling of winning, it's what we're in football for, what we're in sport for, and certainly what I'm at this club for is to try and win," he said.

The number of English clubs that actually win trophies is remarkably small. Among the current Premier League sides, five have never claimed a major trophy, while six others haven't done so in at least 30 years. Crystal Palace lifted their first major trophy as recently as 2025, Aston Villa ended a three-decade wait less than four months ago, and Newcastle United snapped a 47-year drought in 2025.

Trophies, even the Carabao Cup, genuinely matter.