Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot admitted his side handed Grimsby Town a famous win after a disastrous Carabao Cup exit on Wednesday night.
United’s collapse at Blundell Park was one of the lowest points of the post-Ferguson era, as League Two Grimsby outfought and outplayed their Premier League visitors in the first half.
Goals from Charles Vernam and former United youngster Tyrell Warren gave the Mariners a deserved 2-0 lead at the break. Harry Maguire later bundled in an equalizer after Bryan Mbeumo’s strike, forcing penalties at 2-2.
But the shootout only deepened United’s humiliation. Mbeumo missed the decisive spot-kick as Grimsby triumphed 12-11, sparking wild celebrations in Cleethorpes.
Dalot, the only United player to face the cameras afterward, didn’t hide his frustration.
“Not good enough, clearly. We gave the game to them straight away exactly what they wanted: winning duels, second balls, set plays,” the right-back told MUTV.
“We fought back, but that was the minimum we could show to the fans, for ourselves, for the club. Clearly not good enough.”
Grimsby fans taunted Dalot as he returned to the pitch, while manager Ruben Amorim endured chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning.” The Portuguese coach admitted something has to change after the second-round exit, saying: “The players spoke really loud today what they want.”
Asked whether United’s quality should have been enough to avoid such a result, Dalot agreed.
“Exactly. Not just the quality, but the minimum standards. The best way to respect Grimsby was to play 100 percent. We lost an opportunity today to show we deserve to be here.”
The defeat piles pressure on United, who are still chasing their first win of the season. They face promoted Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday in their final game before the international break.
Dalot knows the response has to be immediate.
“The best way we can show it is on Saturday,” he said. “The approach has to be different, the quality has to be different and we have to win the game. That’s what the fans want.”
