Grimsby stun United in dramatic penalty shootout to deliver one of the biggest upsets in Carabao Cup history
Manchester United’s season lurched into deeper crisis on Wednesday night as League Two side Grimsby Town inflicted one of the most humiliating defeats in the club’s modern history. A marathon penalty shootout ended 12-11 in favour of the hosts after a 2-2 draw in normal time, prompting manager Ruben Amorim to admit his team were “completely lost” throughout the contest.
The shock result not only ended United’s hopes of a Carabao Cup run but also intensified scrutiny on Amorim, who took charge during the summer with expectations of reviving the fortunes of the 20-time English champions. Instead, less than a month into the campaign, United appear short on belief, identity, and cohesion.
A Nightmare at Blundell Park
Few predicted the drama that unfolded at a packed Blundell Park. Grimsby, roared on by a fervent home crowd, made the most of a sluggish and disjointed United performance. Within the first half-hour, the Premier League giants trailed 2-0, their defence repeatedly carved open by the fearless lower-league outfit.
United’s lack of intensity and urgency was glaring, and it was only Grimsby’s wastefulness that spared them an even deeper deficit. In the second half, the Mariners came close to adding a third before Amorim’s side mounted a belated response.
Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire struck late to drag United back into the tie, forcing a penalty shootout. Yet even in the shootout, United failed to seize the initiative. Matheus Cunha had the chance to seal victory with the final kick of the regulation five spot-kicks but faltered. What followed was an extraordinary sequence where every subsequent taker scored until Mbeumo’s effort rattled the crossbar, sealing Grimsby’s famous triumph.
Amorim: “We Were Completely Lost”
In the aftermath, Amorim was candid and visibly frustrated.
“I think this is a little bit the limit. I think something has to change,” the Portuguese manager said. “The team and the players spoke really loud today. Tonight, the best team won—the only team that was on the pitch.”
Reflecting on United’s lifeless start, he added: “The way we started the game without any intensity, we were completely lost. In this moment, we need to focus on the weekend and then we’ll have time to think. But it was clear for everyone what happened today.”
His comments will resonate with supporters who have grown weary of repeated setbacks. Last season’s 15th-place Premier League finish—the club’s lowest since relegation in 1974—was already considered a nadir. Yet this latest cup exit to fourth-tier opposition arguably marks an even darker chapter.
A Costly Gamble
Amorim made eight changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Fulham on Sunday, but his rotated line-up still brimmed with international pedigree and immense market value.
New £74 million signing Benjamin Sesko was handed his first start, but the Slovenian striker struggled to make an impact. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Andre Onana endured a torrid evening on his return between the posts, failing to inspire confidence.
Despite fielding players worth hundreds of millions, United looked devoid of structure and spirit—a reflection of a squad still searching for identity under new management.
Trophy Hopes in Tatters
The Carabao Cup represented one of only two realistic opportunities for United to secure silverware this season. With their league form already under pressure, this defeat leaves the FA Cup as their last hope of domestic glory.
The manner of the exit, however, will sting most. United’s proud history is built on competing for the biggest prizes, yet Wednesday’s collapse against Grimsby served as a stark reminder of how far they have fallen.
Fans Growing Restless
For supporters, the evening was another painful reminder of the club’s decline. What was once a routine fixture for a squad boasting international stars turned into a night of embarrassment and soul-searching.
Social media platforms were flooded with reactions ranging from disbelief to fury, with many questioning Amorim’s tactics, team selection, and ability to inspire a turnaround. Calls for urgent reinforcements and structural changes within the club hierarchy are already growing louder.
What Next for United?
Amorim now faces the daunting task of lifting a bruised and disillusioned squad ahead of the weekend’s league fixture. With confidence shaken and scrutiny intensifying, his ability to galvanize the dressing room will be tested like never before.
For Grimsby, however, it was a night to savour—one that will be etched into their folklore as they celebrated a famous cup upset. For Manchester United, it was another sobering reality check.
As the final whistle blew at Blundell Park, the contrast could not have been starker: jubilation for the minnows and despair for the giants. Amorim’s words summed it up best—United were “completely lost,” and unless something changes quickly, their season may be too.
