Michael Carrick has defended young defenders Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven after their performances in Manchester United's 3-2 Carabao Cup loss to Brighton. The pair started together for the first time this season in the third-round match on Wednesday. Although United took an early 2-0 lead, they conceded three goals in quick succession, leading to their elimination from the competition. Heaven was directly involved in Brighton's first goal, and both he and Yoro were criticized for their positioning during the equalizer. Their performance drew further scrutiny for Brighton's third goal, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp calling it "inept" and noting the inexperience of the two young players. Redknapp suggested that Yoro and Heaven might be questioning their agents about why they are not playing more regularly. Carrick, who has been in charge of Manchester United since January, has primarily relied on Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire as his center-back pairing. However, he insisted that Yoro and Heaven still have a role in his plans for the future. The manager acknowledged that the young defenders made mistakes in the match but emphasized that they started well and would use the experience to improve. Carrick expressed confidence in their potential, stating that they are in a good position with promising futures despite the recent setbacks. The defeat to Brighton highlights the challenges facing Carrick as he looks to build a stable defense for the club. With the Carabao Cup exit, United now turn their attention to their next match against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. Carrick will be under pressure to address the defensive issues exposed in the loss, particularly with the young defenders' performance coming under scrutiny. The manager's ability to integrate Yoro and Heaven into the first team will be crucial in the coming weeks as he seeks to strengthen the squad for the remainder of the season. United's defensive struggles have been a recurring theme this season, and the performance of Yoro and Heaven has drawn both criticism and support from fans and pundits alike. While Carrick remains optimistic about their development, the team will need to show improvement in the upcoming matches to maintain their position in the league and avoid further setbacks in cup competitions. The coming weeks will be an important test for both the players and the manager as they work to address these challenges.