Michael Carrick has decisions to make around his starting line-up for Manchester United's EFL Cup tie with Brighton on Wednesday.

United have won just two of their five games across all competitions this season, including just one of their four Premier League matches (D1 L2).

The Red Devils most recently lost to rivals Manchester City, in controversial fashion, placing more pressure on head coach Carrick.

United were expected to rotate their squad against Brighton, with 15-year-old JJ Gabriel one of the players seemingly set to be included before widespread reports emerged suggesting he wants his contract terminated with immediate effect.

They also face Fulham before the international break, and Carrick acknowledged he must find the right balance between winning matches and squad rotation.

"That's the decision that we have to make," said Carrick.

"I think we obviously played in the Champions League and made changes during the week, and we changed a little bit as we've gone. That's the decision.

"It's important for us to win football matches, and it's important that we manage the squad as well and keep everyone up to speed, keep everyone ready, keep everyone part of it. But we're certainly going into Wednesday trying to win the game."

United have progressed from 19 of their last 22 EFL Cup third-round ties, although each of their three eliminations in this time came at Old Trafford: 2007-08 v Coventry City, 2018-19 v Derby County, and 2021-22 v West Ham.

They have also progressed from both of their two previous EFL Cup ties against Brighton, firstly over two legs in the 1992-93 second round, and most recently in the 2020-21 fourth round.

Carlos Baleba, who joined United from Brighton in a £70m move this summer, will not be in the squad, but Carrick revealed the midfielder is close to returning from injury.

"He'll be back in and around the group at some point over the next week or so, so that means after internationals, he should be in good shape," Carrick said.

"He's a quality player, that's why we brought him, and he balances off the dynamics of the midfield particularly well."