Manchester United are out of the Carabao Cup after an embarrassing penalty shootout defeat at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town.
Ruben Amorim needed a strong start to the new Premier League season after significant investment at Manchester United.
Matheus Cunha joined United from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bryan Mbeumo followed from Brentford, and Benjamin Sesko snubbed Newcastle United for Old Trafford.
Armed with a new front line, Amorim needed results – and has not produced them so far.
Failing to beat Fulham on Sunday was one thing, but United crashing out of the Carabao Cup to League Two side Grimsby Town could be the beginning of the end.
United were 2-0 down before finding two second-half goals to force penalties, but were dumped out as Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo failed to score in a lengthy shootout.
Ruben Amorim looks on during Grimsby Town v Manchester United
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Chris Sutton criticises Ruben Amorim decision
Unsurprisingly, the finger is now being pointed at manager Amorim after a chastening night at Blundell Park.
Amorim’s side still look weak defensively and lacking in goals, despite the investment at the top end of the pitch this summer.
Many United fans would say that any Red Devils line-up should be able to beat Grimsby Town, and there may be something in that.
However, pundit Chris Sutton has told BBC Sport that he thinks Amorim made a mistake before the game even kicked off.
Sutton suggested that Amorim got his line-up completely wrong and shouldn’t have made eight changes to his XI.
Sutton believes Amorim should have played his strongest team, blown Grimsby away early on and then made changes to rest players.
The former Blackburn Rovers striker added that he doesn’t know how Amorim comes back from this defeat, and would be ‘officially worried’ for the United boss.
“If I was Ruben Amorim tonight, there is not a prayer that I would have made eight changes,” said Sutton.
“I would have played my strongest team, try to put the game to bed and then make changes. That was an error from him in my book. He will struggle to come back from this. The pressure this season is well and truly on now. If I’m him I am officially worried,” he added.
Manchester United players did not take their chances
Amorim rang the changes from Sunday’s draw at Fulham, but the fringe players coming into the side did not take their chances.
Andre Onana continues to concede soft goals, from failing to get a strong hand on Charles Vernam’s opener to completely missing the cross into the box for Tyrell Warren to make it 2-0.
Manuel Ugarte still hasn’t shown his best form and was hooked at half-time, while Kobbie Mainoo didn’t exactly turn in a performance to force his way into United’s starting XI.
Benjamin Sesko was quiet up top, and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu made no impact at left wing-back, so this was a rough night all over the pitch for United.
Amorim knew this would be a tough job, but even he may be questioning whether there is any way to drag this squad to success after a dreadful display against the Mariners.