Manchester United will be hoping to end their difficult run of domestic form when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Old Trafford for a Carabao Cup clash on Wednesday evening.

Michael Carrick's team have picked up just four points from their opening four Premier League fixtures, with their only victory coming against Ipswich Town in a 5-2 win. United were held to a late draw by Everton before suffering defeats to Hull City and Man City, leaving them 13th in the Premier League table.

The Reds will also be looking to avoid another early cup disappointment after their last Carabao Cup outing ended in a penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town. Brighton have also caused United problems in the FA Cup, knocking them out of the competition last season.

While United's 4-0 Champions League victory over Sabah FK provided a welcome result, the overall mood around Old Trafford remains uncertain. With United now facing another important domestic fixture, Wednesday's meeting with Brighton represents a significant test for Carrick and his squad.

Getting through to the next round could give United some much-needed momentum and help lift the pressure surrounding the team. However, another first-round cup exit alongside consecutive home defeats would only increase the scrutiny on Carrick as he looks to steady the Reds' season.

Written by Ryan Adsett of Brighton Roundtable

A rather incredible start to the Premier League season, and debut in the Europa Conference League!

Wins with a goal margin of four or more have become rather standard for Albion fans this season.

Something tells me this could be a rather rotated Brighton side, though, which may play into Manchester United's hands.

The Seagulls are already without the likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, Yankuba Minteh, Mats Wieffer, etc., but could also miss both Georginio Rutter and Femi Azeez through injury.

While that didn’t stop the rout against Coventry, it would seem the Seagulls are set to face a significantly weaker side. Jason Steele has been confirmed to start; the Albion number two has been a consistent backup figure, but it may suggest a reshuffle.

As far as the squad is concerned, it is mostly as we were, and if Fabian Hürzeler’s side is to take the competition seriously, are Brighton actually the favourites?

Having won four of the last five trips to the North East, there is almost an expectation, and a sense of arrogance, among fans that Brighton will book their place in the next round.

This prediction will depend heavily on the strength of team that Hurzeler opts for… but there are plenty of reasons to be positive.

Score prediction: United 0-1 Brighton