Albion put the skids under their own Carabao Cup run on a soaking night at the Amex.

For a side so neat, so organised and so attractive in possession, they didn’t half look a mess in the moment which gave them an uphill struggle against Manchester United.

And that will feature large in the debrief on a night when - again - the scoreline did not fully reflect the contest.

United powered away for a 3-0 win once Dean Henderson had produced a brilliant save from Leandro Trossard to prevent them being pegged pack to parity.

Juan Mata was a joy to watch, at the heart of the first United goal and calmly passing home the second.

But the manner of that opener will infuriate Graham Potter and his side.

Scott McTominay was under no pressure as he nodded home a Mata free-kick at the far post.

READ MORE: Potter's post-match reaction

In fact, the only presence he probably felt was that of team-mate Fred, who had made a similar run.

Ben White stepped back as his colleagues held the line at the edge of the box.

And McTominay ran around the back of Bernardo to finish.

That is what we all saw for ourselves.

What we won't know is whether there was a communication or collective breakdown which left certain individuals in the spotlight.

But it was an awful way to undo such a lot of good first-half work which saw Albion grow into the game and play some good stuff.

Even at 1-0, they changed shape, spread play from side to side and pushed United back.

Graham Potter's squad are a resilient bunch.

That one moment for Trossard came out of terrific tenacity from Jayson Molumby.

And Pascal Gross, employed first in central midfield, then wider, produced some creative touches.

But it was ultimately in a losing cause.

Going out of the cup is disappointing.

Not learning from that defensive breakdown which proved so important will be more so.