Manchester United suffered a painful Carabao Cup exit on Wednesday after throwing away a 2-0 lead to lose to Brighton at Old Trafford.

The defeat ended a 50-year record for United. The last time the club lost at home after taking a two-goal lead was in 1976, when Sir Alex Ferguson was still managing St Mirren.

United’s latest setback came only days after their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, increasing the pressure around Michael Carrick and his players.

Fans showed their anger after the final whistle. Many supporters left the stadium before the players completed their traditional lap of appreciation, while others stayed behind to boo the team and question the players as they headed towards the tunnel.

Carrick made eight changes to his starting XI, with teenager Shea Lacey among those given an opportunity. The youngster made the most of his chance by scoring in the eighth minute with a well-taken finish.

The goal made Lacey the first teenager to score on his first Manchester United start since Marcus Rashford achieved the feat in 2016.

However, United struggled to maintain control of the match. Brighton gradually took charge and eventually completed the comeback.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said his team deserved the victory.

“The longer the game went, the more we had control. I thought we deserved to win,” he said.

Carrick did not disagree with that assessment, admitting that his team had not produced enough to prevent another disappointing result.

United have now lost three games this season, while they have recorded only two victories. The latest defeat also ended their hopes of winning the Carabao Cup.

Carrick said he was particularly disappointed for Lacey, whose impressive first start was overshadowed by the team’s collapse.

“It’s a shame that Shea’s moment, such a great moment for him, for his family, his friends and the whole academy, gets a bit lost, unfortunately,” Carrick said.

The United manager also spoke about 15-year-old JJ Gabriel, who had been expected to make his senior debut. Carrick said the club must be careful with the youngster because of his age and wellbeing.

“He’s a young boy, he’s 15, and for me, definitely, and from a club point of view, looking after our younger players, their welfare, their wellbeing, their exposure, we’ve got to be really conscious of that,” he said.

Despite the growing criticism, Carrick insisted he does not feel under pressure.

“I don’t feel under pressure,” he said. “What bothers me is winning games, having a good feeling around the place and a good feeling around the group to know we’re moving in a good direction.”

United now have one match left before the international break, with Fulham waiting at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

After a difficult few weeks, another poor result could increase the pressure around the club.

Saturday’s $1 million Shorts at Randwick is a date apprentice jockey Mollie Fitzgerald is eagerly awaiting, marking her debut ride in a Group race aboard the capable mare Flying For Fun.

The 24-year-old, who is indentured to Annabel and Rob Archibald, has previously ridden in three Listed races but is thrilled that trainer Bryce Heys has entrusted her with the reins of his dual stakes winner in a race renowned as a key audition for The Everest.

“It’s an awesome opportunity. A very ‘pinch myself’ moment,” Fitzgerald said.

“She’s a beautiful mare. I’ve had the benefit of riding her in a trial, but it’s so exciting. It’s what you dream of, to be in these races, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Flying For Fun, a daughter of Heys’ former top sprinter Spieth, captured the Starlight Stakes (1100m) in November and later demonstrated her quality by winning the Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) in March.

Her subsequent runs in Adelaide resulted in two unfortunate Group 1 placings; she surged home to narrowly miss out in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and was unable to gain a clear passage when midfield in the Goodwood (1200m).

She has a strong record when fresh, and while the outside draw in barrier 12 presents a significant challenge against horses like Joliestar, Headwall, and Everest slot holder Ninja, Flying For Fun has shown promising form in two lead-up trials, with Fitzgerald aboard for the initial one.

“It was her first trial and she wasn’t asked to do much, but I had a lot of horse underneath me,” Fitzgerald noted.

“James (McDonald) trialled her at her second trial and he was pretty happy with her as well. You can feel the difference being on those quality horses.

“She’s a model of consistency. She tries very hard, and she loves her racing. Towards the end of her last prep, she was ridden a bit more quietly and you do need luck from back there, but she has raced in good races and been honest.”

Fitzgerald’s booking for Flying For Fun is a one-off arrangement for now, but she is determined to make the most of this significant chance and hopes it might pave the way for more opportunities.

“It’s just an awesome opportunity. Hopefully everything goes right on Saturday, and we’ll see what comes of it,” she remarked.

Fitzgerald’s Randwick engagements also include the Luke Pepper-trained Brave Xena in the Highway Handicap (1000m), marking a reunion after she partnered the mare to victory in a similar race during the summer.

“There’s not much of her, but she’s beautiful,” Fitzgerald said.

“I won a Highway on her, and she’s honest, so I’m looking forward to getting back on her. She’s got a tricky draw (barrier 12), but she’s probably good enough to overcome that.”

Explore the best racing betting markets for the Shorts at Australian betting sites.

A wrestling star suffered a brutal rejection on the latest episode of TNA Impact.

John Skyler has apparently developed a crush on Mila Moore, Mustafa Ali’s Secretary of Strategic Affairs. Moore has been closely associated with Ali’s Order 4 faction in TNA Wrestling, while Skyler is also part of the group.

Skyler previously tried to ask Moore out, but a phone call interrupted his attempt. He decided to give it another shot this week and even came prepared with roses. Unfortunately for him, things went from awkward to heartbreaking very quickly.

Skyler once again found Moore on the phone with somebody and overheard part of her conversation. The TNA Wrestling star realized that she was discussing him and apparently had no interest in going on a date. Here is what Moore said during the call backstage:

“John Skyler… Yeah, John. No, we’re talking about the same John. He was gonna ask me out on a date? I would NEVER go out with someone who looks like John Skyler! Are you kidding me? He was not gonna ask me out – that’s a joke, you’re joking, right? Aww… that’s sad. That can’t be real. John Skyler, really? Urgh. You have to be kidding me. Who would believe that? How’d he believe that?”

A hopeful John Skyler immediately turned into a man who looked like his heart had been broken. As you can see in the clip below, he dropped the roses upon hearing Mila Moore’s harsh words:

Interestingly, this could turn into something much bigger for John Skyler. As part of Order 4, getting rejected by someone close to Mustafa Ali could potentially create some entertaining tension within the faction. For now, though, Skyler simply has to deal with the heartbreak.

Mila Moore previously had her referee shirt ripped off in TNA Wrestling

This isn’t the first time Mila Moore has found herself at the center of an unusual TNA moment. Earlier this month, Moore served as the special guest referee during a match involving Jason Hotch and Order 4’s Agent 0. She heavily favored Agent 0, repeatedly frustrating Hotch during the bout.

TNA Wrestling’s Tasha Steelz eventually had enough and attacked Moore. Steelz then forcibly removed Moore’s referee shirt during the broadcast, leaving her to retreat backstage in her bra. You can read more about that HERE.