Manchester United were left humbled and humiliated against League Two Grimsby Town on Wednesday night.
It was supposed to be a soft ball game for Ruben Amorim to build some momentum and form in his team which hadn’t scored a single goal this season.
However, as often with Manchester United these days, things did not go to plan with a pair of Andre Onana howlers in goal seeing Grimsby snatching a 2-0 lead which was honestly deserved.
United staged a second-half comeback to 2-2, with Bryan Mbeumo scoring his first goal for United, opening his account. Then Harry Maguire once again stepped up and made himself big to score the equaliser.
However, it was in vain in the end as the resulting penalty shootout saw United lose 12-11 after Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha missed their spot kicks.
The defeat to a team down the divisions has only added to the growing pressure on Amorim.
Manchester United line up for penalties against Grimsby Town.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Demetri Mitchell marvels at strength of Manchester United team vs Grimsby
Amorim is once again under fire after the Grimsby defeat, with the loss being billed as the worst United have suffered in the clubs recent history.
It was a total embarrassment for the club, however, Amorim will be left frustrated as goalkeeping errors were once again the cause.
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But that doesn’t excuse the disjointed performance going forward as United didn’t create enough with some very good players on the pitch.
Demetri Mitchell took to X to call out Amorim for failing to get the best from a talented group, suggesting the Portuguese head coach gets the axe.
“Nah Amorim has to go the squads actually good this is embarrassing it’s actually a madness United actually have a good side out aswell ___.”
This is the worst part of the defeat, with United having a full strength attack on the pitch for the second-half and only managed two goals against a League Two defence.
Manchester United’s star studded squad need to step up for Ruben Amorim
Amorim was clearly embarrassed post game as he admitted his players were completely lost, and this is true.
🗣️ "The best team won. The only team that was on the pitch."
Ruben Amorim reacts to Manchester United's Carabao Cup exit after defeat to Grimsby Town on penalties. pic.twitter.com/Vgwpweyy0U
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 27, 2025
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For the opening half, United were unable to connect passes, weren’t putting in any level of intensity and looked like they weren’t happy to be playing.
Amorim changed things up and the second-half was better, but still the big names failed to step up.
In the penalty shootout this was the case again, with Mbeumo and Cunha missing, which will disappoint Amorim as both are usually so consistent.
Amorim has coached three wins from three this season, yet his players have let him down. If this doesn’t change it will be the head coach who pays the price.