Manchester United are involved in the Carabao Cup second round for the first time since 2014, and the Red Devils take on League Two side Grimsby Town on Wednesday night.
Louis van Gaal was in charge for United’s infamous 4–0 defeat to MK Dons at this stage of the competition 11 years ago, and their cup campaign is starting early again due to their absence from UEFA’s club competitions this season.
The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League last term, and missed out on the chance to qualify for the Champions League by losing 1–0 to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
Ruben Amorim has thus sought to rejuvenate his side over the summer, but United have started 2025–26 having amassed just a point from two league games. Their 1–1 draw at Fulham raised more questions over the long-term viability of Amorim’s system, given the distinct flaws.
United are facing Grimsby for the first time since 1948 at Blundell Park, with the League Two side starting the new season six games unbeaten. The Mariners returned to the English Football League in 2022 and enjoyed a successful season last time out after barely avoiding the drop in 2023–24.
A 3–1 victory over Shrewsbury in the first round set up this grand occasion.
Here is Sports Illustrated’s guide to Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie.
Grimsby vs. Man Utd Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Grimsby Man Utd
Accrington Stanley 1–1 Grimsby - 23/08/25 Fulham 1–1 Man Utd - 24/08/25
Walsall 0–1 Grimsby - 19/08/25 Man Utd 0–1 Arsenal - 17/08/25
Grimsby 2–1 Newport County - 16/08/25 Man Utd 1–1 Fiorentina - 09/08/25
Grimsby 3–1 Shrewsbury - 12/08/25 Man Utd 2–2 Everton - 03/08/25
Harrogate 3–3 Grimsby - 09/08/25 Man Utd 4–1 Bournemouth - 31/07/25
Country TV channel/live stream
United States Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video
United Kingdom ITVX, Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, STV Player, ITV 1 UK, STV Scotland, Sky Sports Football
Canada DAZN Canada, Amazon Prime Video
George McEachran
Former Chelsea midfielder George McEachran will start in Grimsby’s midfield. / Michael Regan/Getty Images
The hosts have George McEachran on their books after the midfielder left Chelsea in 2022. After spending 15 months with Swindon Town, McEachran joined the Mariners ahead of the 2024–25 campaign.
David Artell, who signed a contract over the summer, won’t be able to call upon Jason Svanthorsson and Sam Lavelle due to injuries.
Striker Jaze Kabia has hit the ground running after joining from Truro City, and he’s the man United will need to contain to ensure they avoid an upset on Wednesday night.
Grimsby Town XI
How Grimsby could line up against Man Utd. / FotMob
Grimsby predicted lineup vs. Man Utd (4-5-1): Pym; Warren, Rodgers, McJannet, Staunton; Amaluzor, Turi, McEachran, Khouri, Burns; Kabia
Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo has been on the periphery at the start of the new season. / Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Amorim’s team selection on Wednesday night will be interesting, with the Man Utd boss expected to name new signings and academy starlets in his starting XI. While Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo should earn rests, striker Benjamin Šeško is poised for his first start for the club, having made two appearances off the bench in the Premier League.
André Onana could also make his first appearance of the season, while the likes of Tyler Fredricson and Ayden Heaven are poised to feature heavily in the domestic cup competitions this term.
Supporters will want to see Kobbie Mainoo involved amid reports linking him with a move away, and the Englishman could partner Manuel Ugarte in Amorim’s midfield pivot.
Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martínez are out injured.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs. Grimsby
How Man Utd could line up vs. Grimsby. / FotMob
Man Utd predicted lineup vs. Grimsby (3-4-2-1): Onana; Fredricson, Maguire, Heaven; Amad, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot; Fernandes, Zirkzee; Šeško
It would be fitting for Man Utd to succumb on Wednesday night to inflict more misery upon Amorim after Sunday’s unconvincing draw.
Grimsby have started the season superbly well, and have a history of upsets in the 21st century. Most notably, they stunned Liverpool at Anfield in 2001 and beat Tottenham Hotspur in this competition four years later.
Such results for clubs lower down the pyramid are becoming increasingly rare, though, and although any team can easily prepare for this Man Utd side, the visitors’ superior quality should shine through at Blundell Park.
Prediction: Grimsby 0–3 Man Utd
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