Manchester United crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night following a shock defeat against Grimsby Town.
The pressure will mount on Ruben Amorim following Manchester United’s defeat against Grimsby Town on penalties in the Carabao Cup second round.
United trailed 2-0 at half-time following two howlers from Andre Onana, who returned to the starting line-up after replacing Altay Bayindir between the posts.
In the second half, Amorim made several changes to try to turn the game on its head. United did enough to force the game to penalties following goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire to make it 2-2.
United went on to lose 12-11 on penalties. The result will lead to further questions about Amorim’s preferred system and his tactics, with United winless in three games since the start of the 2025/26 season.
Ruben Amorim disappointed as Manchester United suffer defeat against Grimsby Town
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Phil Jones questions Ruben Amorim’s tactical approach vs Grimsby Town
There is no disputing that Amorim was let down by individual errors against Grimsby Town.
Diogo Dalot, Tyler Fredricson and Onana were all subject to criticism after Grimsby Town’s opening goal. That was before Onana’s evening was made worse following another howler just minutes later.
However, there is no getting away from the fact that United played with a back five when they were searching for goals in the second half.
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That is questionable when the opponents are a League Two outfit.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, former United defender Phil Jones took issue with Amorim’s tactical approach following Mason Mount’s substitution in the 65th minute.
“We were building a back five against Grimsby,” Jones said during the live broadcast.
“We were sitting on the edge of the box, and the spare man was almost in build-up when we needed that spare man high up the pitch to overload wide and through the middle.”
Despite Amorim’s many changes as United chased the game, the United head coach was unwilling to change his formation to push more players forward.
Man Utd repeat 2014 disappointment
United competed in the League Cup second round for the first time since 2014 on Wednesday night.
It brought back unwanted memories for United fans because that year, Louis van Gaal’s side lost 4-0 to third-tier MK Dons.
United’s line-up consisted of players like David de Gea, Jonny Evans, Anderson, Nick Powell and James Wilson.
None of the players in that squad are currently playing for United, after Evans announced his retirement earlier this summer.