Man Utd host Brighton in EFL Cup amid injury concerns

Manchester United will host Brighton at Old Trafford on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in the third round of the EFL Cup. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET and will be available to stream for free on ITVX in the United Kingdom and on Paramount in the United States. Both Premier League clubs enter the knockout tie with significant injury concerns. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick confirmed that left-back Luke Shaw "could possibly be fit for Brighton" but added it is "not clearcut." Shaw has missed the last two matches due to muscle tightness. United will definitely be without Carlos Baleba, Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, and Tom Heaton. Baleba, who joined United from Brighton in the summer, is recovering from an ankle problem. De Ligt has been sidelined with a back issue since November 2025. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler reported that forward Stefanos Tzimas has suffered a "setback" in his rehabilitation from a muscle injury. The Seagulls are also without long-term absentees Yankuba Minteh and Evan Ferguson. However, Brighton are optimistic about having Georginio Rutter available after he missed the start of the season with an injury.