Manchester United crashed out of the cup in humiliating fashion after a dramatic 12-11 penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town.
United, trailing 2-0 at halftime after goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren, clawed their way back into the match. Bryan Mbeumo scored in the 75th minute to give them hope before Harry Maguire’s header forced a penalty shootout. But when Mbeumo’s spot-kick hit the crossbar, Grimsby sealed one of the biggest shocks in their history, sparking a pitch invasion from jubilant home fans.
For United, it was another night of chaos under head coach Ruben Amorim. Despite a summer spending spree of more than £200 million, his side showed little structure, confidence, or control. The traveling supporters let him know it, chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as he stood on the touchline.
Amorim made eight changes to his lineup, handing first starts to Kobbie Mainoo, Benjamin Sesko, André Onana, Maguire, and Manuel Ugarte. But the reshuffled squad looked shaky from the start. Grimsby pressed relentlessly, forcing mistakes, and were rewarded when Amad Diallo and Ugarte collided to gift Vernam the opener. Onana then flapped at a cross, allowing Warren to double the lead against the club he left in 2019.
The second half brought sweeping changes, with Bruno Fernandes and Mbeumo introduced, but United remained second best. Grimsby continued to attack with confidence despite the heavy rain, while United struggled to find any rhythm. Mbeumo’s late strike offered a lifeline, and Maguire’s equalizer briefly shifted the mood, but penalties proved decisive.
Oddly, Amorim was nowhere near the touchline during the shootout. Even more puzzling was his decision to leave £70m signing Sesko as the 10th taker. It backfired, and United’s season now looks even more fragile, with Burnley visiting Old Trafford on Saturday.
Amorim may still survive thanks to the money spent on his squad, but nine months into the job his team continues to look lifeless, disorganized, and far from United’s old standards.
