Manchester United take on Grimsby in Round Two of the Carabao Cup this evening, so we simulated the clash to predict the final score.
Man United's predicted XI vs Grimsby Town
Man United's predicted XI vs Grimsby Town(Image: EA Sports)
Manchester United kick off their Carabao Cup campaign at an earlier stage than usual later today, with Ruben Amorim's side taking on League Two's Grimsby Town in the second round of the competition.
After finishing 15th in the Premier League and failing to qualify for any European competition, United will begin their Carabao Cup campaign in the second round, the first time they've entered the competition at this stage since the 2014/15 season. United were embarrassingly beaten 4-0 by MK Dons the last time they were in the second round, and Amorim will be looking to avoid that sort of shock result when his side travels to Grimsby Town tonight.
United are yet to win a game this season, with a 1-1 draw against Fulham following a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. United are heavy favourites, with Amorim expected to rotate his side as they look to book their spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
So, can United get off to a winning start in the Carabao Cup? We used EA FC 25 to get a score prediction.
Grimsby Town vs Man United score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries, suspensions, and transfers. The kits from the 2025/26 season aren't available in EA FC 25, so both sides were lined up in last season's kits, while new transfers may have incorrect squad numbers in-game.
We predict that the hosts could line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Pym; Warren, Rodgers, McJannet, Staunton; McEachran; Amaluzor, Turi, Khouri, Vernam; Kabia.
We predict that United could set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Onana; Fredricson, Maguire, Heaven; Amad, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot; Zirkzee, Cunha; Sesko.
United were slow out of the gates at Blundell Park, and it was the hosts who had the best chance of the opening stages when George McEarchran rattled the crossbar with an ambitious shot from 25 yards out. Amorim's side grew into the game as time went on, and just before the break, United took the lead.
Ayden Heaven made it 1-0 to Man United
Ayden Heaven made it 1-0 to Man United(Image: EA Sports)
A corner was half-cleared by Grimsby, with the ball falling to the feet of Matheus Cunha just outside the box. After faking a shot to create some space for himself, the Brazilian whipped a cross back into the box for Ayden Heaven, and a smart run from the defender saw him beat the offside trap and tap into the net from close range.
United managed to grab a second goal just after the restart, with Cunha's drilled cross into the box being turned into the Grimsby net by Harvey Rodgers after some neat footwork from the Brazilian on the left. With a two-goal advantage, any hope of a comeback was knocked out of the hosts, and with 10 minutes to go, Amorim's side confirmed the victory with a third goal of the evening.
Diogo Dalot made it 3-0 to Man United
Diogo Dalot made it 3-0 to Man United(Image: EA Sports)
Grimsby failed to clear another corner properly, with a sliced clearance seeing the ball fall to the feet of Diogo Dalot inside the box. After plucking the ball out of the air, the defender drilled a shot through a crowd of bodies and into the net, leaving the 'keeper rooted to the spot.
EA FC 25 pre
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!
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