Manchester United's players will use their anger over Sunday's defeat in the Old Trafford derby, and their sense of injustice at Erling Haaland's winning goal, as motivation to overcome a dismal start to the season, head coach Michael Carrick has said.
United are still fuming over the decision to let Haaland's goal stand, even though his Manchester City teammate Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and interfering with play. Referees' bosses have since admitted that the VAR officials made a mistake.
Carrick's side have taken just four points from their opening four Premier League games. They face Brighton in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, and the head coach believes the City controversy will fire up his players to recover from their poor start.
"It does give you something to use moving forward when something like that happens," Carrick said.
"The players have got an edge. I think they've shown that to me since I've been here. We've had setbacks, and they've bounced back particularly well and had some really good performances and good results."
"We've got to move on. We've still got to look at it for ourselves, and we've got to win games. We've won a lot of games, and we need to continue to do that," he added.
"I understand it's a new season, and the points tally right now is not what we want it to be - I'm not hiding from that," Carrick said. "It's getting that winning feeling, getting the habit. It's easier said than done, of course, but we're capable of it."
Brighton test in the Carabao Cup
United's next task is a home tie against Premier League rivals Brighton in the Carabao Cup, the domestic knockout competition contested by clubs across England's top four divisions. Brighton knocked United out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford in the last game before Carrick took charge in January. Carrick, a former United and England midfielder, has been in the role since.
Carrick may rotate his squad for the visit of Brighton, but he admitted he cannot risk another setback by making too many changes, having already tweaked his line-up for last week's Champions League match against Sabah.
"Obviously, there are decisions that we have to make," he added. "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 and part of it. But we're certainly going into Wednesday trying to win the game."
Shaw injury update
Carrick is waiting to see whether Luke Shaw is available to return at left-back. The defender was replaced by Patrick Dorgu in the games against Sabah and City, while Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt are also still working their way back to fitness.
"He (Shaw) could possibly be fit for Brighton, but it's not clear-cut," Carrick said. "It's a matter of a few days rather than anything else."
"Pat played fantastically well the other night (against Sabah), and I thought he did a lot of good things (against City)," Carrick said. "That's why we've got the squad, to fill in different things. Injuries aren't ideal, but we've got to deal with them."
"Amad is not quite close in terms of days, but we'll see as the week progresses. And Matta's just working his way back really. Because of how it's been, I don't really want to put too much of a timeframe on it," he added.
Baleba nearing a return
Carlos Baleba has also started training at United's Carrington complex after recovering from the ankle injury he sustained before completing a £70million move from Brighton to United in the summer.
Baleba will not be ready to face his former club on Wednesday, but Carrick expects him back soon. "He'll be back in and around the group at some point over the next week or so. That means he should be in good shape after the international break," Carrick said.
"Carlos came here injured and then he's desperate to get out there and be part of the group and train fully with the boys," he added. "He's a quality player, that's why we brought him."
