The disastrous life of Manchester United continues as the team is knocked out of the EFL cup by third division team Grimsby . Now the pressure on Ruben Amorin to quit or he will be sacked soon. Here is the details of the match
First Half: Grimsby Seize the Momentum
In a stunning turn of events, League Two side Grimsby Town stunned Manchester United with a strong start. Charles Vernam opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, slotting a composed finish past André Onana at the near post .
Just eight minutes later, Grimsby doubled their lead. Onana failed to clear a cross, allowing former United youth player Tyrell Warren to tap in from close range .
Second Half: United’s Late Rally
Amid mounting pressure, Manchester United made bold substitutions, with Bruno Fernandes and new signing Bryan Mbeumo introduced early in the second half .
The breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute when Mbeumo finished a slick move to score his first goal for United .
Just four minutes from full time, captain Harry Maguire rose to head home from a corner, leveling the score 2–2 and sentencing the tie to penalties .
Penalty Shootout: Epic and Unforgiving
The shootout unfolded as a gripping marathon. Both teams held their nerve through the initial rounds.
Matheus Cunha was the first to slip, having his effort saved—a crucial let-off for Grimsby .
After an extraordinary 26 spot kicks, Mbeumo’s second attempt struck the crossbar, allowing Grimsby Town to triumph and eliminate United in sensational fashion .
Key Talking Points
Manchester United’s humiliation
This marks the first-ever defeat in a cup tie by a fourth-tier side for United, triggering widespread condemnation .
The loss also stands as United’s earliest League Cup exit in over a decade, drawing comparisons to their 2014 loss to MK Dons .
Andre Onana’s errors
Onana’s errors proved decisive—his flaws directly led to both Grimsby goals, prompting intense scrutiny and pundit criticism .
Grimsby Town’s triumph
For a small fishing-town club, this result delivers one of their most historic wins. Manager David Artell, at the helm since late 2023, oversaw this memorable upset .
Tyrell Warren, a former United youth player, not only scored in open play but also sealed the win off the spot—adding poetic justice to the story .
Amorim under fire
United boss Ruben Amorim publicly apologised to fans and admitted the team’s performance was utterly lacking, admitting “the best team won” and hinting at deep-seated issues within the squad .
His tenure now faces increased scrutiny, with this loss compounding poor early-season form .
Match Summary Table
Phase Highlight
First Half Grimsby shocks United 2–0 (Vernam, Warren)
Second Half Mbeumo (75’) and Maguire (89’) bring United level
Penalty Shootout Marathon ends 12–11 to Grimsby—Cunha saved, Mbeumo hits bar
Aftermath Historic upset; Onana widely blamed; pressure intensifies on Amorim
In a night that will go down in the annals of Grimsby Town’s history—and haunt Manchester United’s memory—the underdogs delivered while the giants imploded. If you’d like player ratings, fan reactions, or fallout analysis, I’m happy to break it down further!