Manchester United’s latest nightmare & Sunderland shine in Europe

What the report says

BBC Sport Football’s “Football Daily” podcast focused on a difficult night for Manchester United and a landmark European win for Sunderland. The episode, released on 16 September 2026, featured reaction from Aaron Paul, Jobi McAnuff, Clinton Morrison and John Murray, with Manchester United boss Michael Carrick also appearing on the programme.

According to the episode description, United led Brighton 2-0 before conceding three times and losing 3-2. The result left Carrick with two wins from his first six matches in all competitions this season. The discussion examined whether the club has lost some of the edge associated with its strongest periods, while also revisiting Brighton’s comeback and resilience.

The podcast also highlighted Sunderland’s return to European competition, with the Championship club beating AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League. Sunderland legend Marco Gabbiadini and manager Regis Le Bris were among those discussed in connection with what the programme described as a significant moment for the club and supporters. In a separate upset, League Two side Fleetwood Town beat Championship side Sheffield United 1-0 in the EFL Cup third round, setting up a fourth-round home tie against Arsenal. That result prompted reaction from Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder and Fleetwood boss Matt Lawlor.

More broadly, the episode used these results to underline a weekend of contrasting fortunes across English football, from elite-level disappointment to notable cup and European breakthroughs.