While Manchester United had a very difficult domestic season last year, the start of the new season begun with some feeling of optimism, and after a loss to Arsenal and draw with Fulham, an unusual entrance to the League Cup in the second round saw a trip to League 2 Grimsby Town, with a chance to get the first win of the season, flex their muscles in terms of the gulf in quality and hopefully get some of the new boys on the scoresheet to build confidence, and put United on track for a domestic cup run alongside trying to improve their league form… how wrong we were.

With one of the worst showings seen in recent years for United, this enters the history books for many reasons. Alongside the heavy defeats to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, the games where United have been entirely outplayed, and even the League Cup loss to MK Dons, this result and performance may well be up there with some of the lowest points for the club, with not only losing to a team 3 divisions lower down, but the manner of the performance, and ultimate failures across the entire pitch.

With the weathers hammering down on the stadium, the storm swirling around felt almost poetic after Amorim’s comments at the end of last season, while he was seen unable to look during a baffling penalty shootout which saw the new striker 10th in the pecking order, and some poor goalkeeping which had continued from normal time, the only saving grace for Manchester United is the fact that no extra time took place.

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Teams

Grimsby Town: Pym, Sweeney, McJannet, Warren, Rodgers (Staunton 79′), McEachran (Oduor 73′), Verman (Turi 64′), Khouri, Green (BRown 64′), Burns, Gardner (Kabia 73′)

Subs: Auton, Rose, Soonsup-Bell, Amaluzor

Manchester United: Onana, Heaven (Mount 65′), Maguire, Fredricson (De Ligt 46′), Dorgu (Mbeumo 46′), Ugarte (Fernandes 46′), Mainoo, Dalot, Cunha, Amad (Zirkzee 82′), Sesko

Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Leon, Casemiro

Grimsby Town (12)2-2(11) Manchester United

A stormy night of drama at Blundell Park as Grimsby Town pulled off one of the most sensational cup upsets in recent memory. On a rain-swept evening in north-east Lincolnshire, Grimsby, currently competing in League Two, hosted Manchester United in the League Cup second round. It was a night that will live long in the memories of fans on both sides.

The first half belonged entirely to the Mariners. Charles Vernam opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when he calmly controlled a curling cross and slotted it under André Onana. Just eight minutes later, former United youth player Tyrell Warren doubled the advantage after Onana fumbled a cross, allowing an easy tap-in. United, rocked and reeling, could not muster a reply before half-time.

United fought back in the second period, staging a late resurgence. Head coach Ruben Amorim introduced Matthijs de Ligt, Bruno Fernandes, and Bryan Mbeumo at the break, which sparked a revival. Mbeumo pulled one back in the 75th minute with his first goal for the club, and then in the dying moments, Harry Maguire headed home an equaliser from a corner in the 89th minute, forcing penalties.

The shootout was a nerve-shredder of epic proportions. It stretched all the way to an astonishing 12-11 conclusion. Both sides converted 15 consecutive penalties, only to see Mbeumo’s second attempt strike the crossbar, handing victory to Grimsby. It marked the first time Manchester United had ever been eliminated by a fourth-tier English side in a cup competition.

In the aftermath, reactions ranged from shock to soul-searching. Grimsby’s delight was summed up by Vernam: “It’s an amazing feeling, one that will live on forever.” Meanwhile, United manager Ruben Amorim offered a candid, if cryptic, assessment: “The best team won… the only team that was on the pitch… the team spoke really loud today.” He acknowledged deep-rooted issues, apologising to fans and indicating changes would follow during the international break.

Talking Points

A historic night for both clubs for very different reasons. For Grimsby, this was the stuff of fairy tales, knocking Manchester United out of a major cup competition for the first time in their history, and doing so after one of the longest penalty shootouts English football has ever seen. The Mariners, sitting in League Two, wrote themselves into the history books by beating one of the giants of world football, and their fans will dine out on this for decades. For United, though, it was a very different kind of history with the first time they had been eliminated by a fourth-tier team in a domestic cup. What was supposed to be a routine second-round tie ended up becoming one of the darkest nights of their modern era.

Attention now turns to the future of Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. The Portuguese coach was hired with a reputation for tactical nous and authority, yet the defeat has left him under the microscope. His post-match comments, describing Grimsby as “the only team on the pitch”, spoke volumes about his disillusionment with his players. For a manager only a few months into the job, the optics are concerning. There is still time for Amorim to stamp his identity on this squad, but questions are being asked about whether his message is already struggling to cut through. With United fans desperate for direction after years of turbulence, the pressure is mounting quickly.

One of the most striking moments came in the shootout itself. Amorim chose not to watch from the touchline, turning away as his players stepped up from the spot. Symbolically, it painted a picture of a manager detached from the contest. The decision to leave Benjamin Šeško as the 10th taker also raised eyebrows, arguably United’s most natural striker was left waiting in the wings while the tension grew unbearable. By the time he finally did score, the damage was already done, and Bryan Mbeumo’s miss had handed the advantage to Grimsby. For supporters, these choices looked both puzzling and emblematic of the uncertainty swirling around the team.

Goalkeeping is another area that cannot be ignored. André Onana’s struggles continued in Lincolnshire, with both of Grimsby’s goals stemming from errors. His indecisive handling and tendency to flap at crosses gifted the Mariners opportunities they scarcely believed they would get. United fans are beginning to lose patience with the lapses in concentration that have cost them in big moments. For a club built on solidity between the sticks in the Schmeichel and van der Sar eras, this is becoming a glaring weak point.

Then there was the tactical chaos after half-time. Chasing the game, Amorim flooded the pitch with attacking players, at one point United had seven forwards or advanced midfielders on the field simultaneously. While it did eventually bring goals from Mbeumo and Harry Maguire, the shape of the side became unrecognisable, leaving them vulnerable at the back. It felt less like a calculated gamble and more like a desperate throw of the dice. Amid the mess, one bright spot was Kobbie Mainoo. Amid rumours of a potential exit, the teenager showed maturity, discipline, and calmness on the ball, offering a reminder that if United can hold onto him, they still have a genuine building block for the future.