Manchester United continued their terrible start to the 2025/26 season on Wednesday night by getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup.
After Manchester United drew 1-1 with Fulham, hopes were high that Ruben Amorim’s side would win their first match of the season at Blundell Park.
Things didn’t go to plan for United in the first half as Grimsby Town went in at half-time with a 2-0 lead. This led to Amorim making three changes at the break, and eventually, United turned things around thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire to force the game to penalties.
Grimsby Town caused the biggest upset in round two by beating United on penalties to reach the third round on a night of triumph for David Artell.
Here are the winners and losers as United lost to Grimsby Town on penalties.
Manchester United line up for penalties against Grimsby Town.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Winners
First, we will look at United’s winners, and truthfully we can only pick one.
Harry Maguire
After appearing unsteady in the first half, Maguire grew into the game and proved crucial in the latter stages with an equalising goal to force penalties.
Maguire leapt highest at the back post before heading his effort past Pym from a corner kick.
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The centre-back came back into the line-up after Matthijs de Ligt started the first two games of the season. However, Maguire’s performance is exactly what Amorim would have wanted, as it showed he can be relied upon.
Losers
Without further ado, the losers from the game…
For the very first time in the club’s history, Manchester United have lost a League Cup game to a fourth tier team.
Record breakers. 🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/3GPRSrtRAr
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 27, 2025
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Andre Onana
At fault for both goals in the first half, Andre Onana returned to the line-up after missing the first two games of the season. He did nothing to warrant a place in the team against Burnley.
For Vernam’s opening goal, Onana failed to get down to his side in time after the defence was caught napping. Diogo Dalot was nowhere to be seen when the ball arrived in the box, and Tyler Fredicson was unable to close the space.
Onana fumbled a cross for the second goal as former United academy star Warren tapped into an empty net.
Diogo Dalot
Dalot was in no-man’s land for Grimsby Town’s opening goal and offered very little in the final third.
It was a surprise that the Portugal international stayed on the pitch at half-time when Patrick Dorgu was hauled off, only to continue his questionable display in the second half.
Dalot’s form is a concern and must improve. At least he scored in the penalty shootout by sending the Grimsby Town goalkeeper the wrong way.
Tyler Fredricson
United academy graduate Fredricson was given an opportunity from the start in the back three, along with Maguire and Ayden Heaven.
The 20-year-old defender was a boy among men and Amorim was left with no other choice but to take him off at half-time for De Ligt.
Fredricson needs to dust himself off and overcome a poor display.
Manuel Ugarte
Gutless in United’s midfield, Manuel Ugarte offered little to nothing in the first 45 minutes before being replaced by Bruno Fernandes.
Ugarte failed to create any chances while he was on the pitch, and just 88% of his passes were accurate. The holding midfielder made just two defensive contributions and left the pitch as Grimsby Town led by two goals.
The Uruguayan’s performance only solidifies Casemiro’s place in the team.
Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha has struggled to find the net early into his Manchester United career, and was ineffective against a League Two side.
Then he had the chance to win the penalty shootout by taking the fifth spot-kick, and blew it with a weak penalty that the goalkeeper read easily. This was a night to forget for the Brazilian.
Ruben Amorim
Wednesday night’s performance and result will do nothing but pile extra pressure on Amorim.
It has been a dire start to the 2025/26 campaign for United and Amorim, who has already faced many questions about his team selections, but that will only increase now.
Amorim was let down by some of his players, but this is becoming a trend. Coming up short against a League Two side is proof that something isn’t right.
The United head coach couldn’t watch the penalty shootout, which wasn’t a good look and hardly transmitted confidence to his players.