Carrick 'not bothered' by pressure - but should he be after this latest mess?

Sir Alex Ferguson was St Mirren manager the last time Manchester United lost at Old Trafford having taken a 2-0 lead.

That is the context to the shocking Carabao Cup third-round exit his old club suffered against Brighton on Wednesday.

It is a period of time that encompasses the legendary Scot's dynasties at Aberdeen as well as United. The Class of '92 were in nappies when John Pratt scored the winner for Tottenham on 4 September 1976.

After holding protests inside and outside the ground before Sunday's loss to 10-man Manchester City, United supporters made their feelings known about their latest embarrassment in three ways.

Most fans simply left as the players embarked on their post-match lap of appreciation.

Some of those who remained booed, as they had done when their side fell behind 21 minutes from time.

By the time they approached the tunnel, close to United's 'singing section', supporters were asking Michael Carrick and his players 'what was that?'. Their wording was somewhat more colourful.

It is not certain where 15-year-old JJ Gabriel was while all this was taking place, but nothing happened that would make him think he had got it wrong by turning his back on the club.