Under-fire Ruben Amorim has been told to look at himself by pundits following Manchester United's humiliating defeat at Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup
Ruben Amorim
Pressure is mounting on Ruben Amorim following the Carabao Cup defeat at Grimsby
(Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)
The pressure is growing on Ruben Amorim following Manchester United's embarrassing Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town.
The Red Devils' failure to secure a spot in Europe led them to participate in the second round of the competition for the first time since 2014, when Louis van Gaal's squad were trounced 4-0 by League One team MK Dons. Some 11 years on, Grimsby handed the club their first-ever League Cup defeat to a fourth-tier side.
The hosts led at half-time after goals from Charles Vernam and United graduate Tyrell Warren. Goalkeeper Andre Onana, who was restored to side, could have done better with the first goal and was left red-faced by the second. United fought back to force penalties thanks to substitute Bryan Mbeumo's goal and a last-minute header from Harry Maguire.
Matheus Cunha squandered the opportunity to clinch the shootout after Onana had denied Clarke Oduor. Mbeumo eventually hit his second attempt off the crossbar in a 12-11 defeat that will leave lasting wounds. The loss continued Amorim's dismal record since he took over from the dismissed Erik ten Hag last November.
Despite splashing out more than £200million this summer, United have had a sluggish start to their Premier League season. And after a deserved loss to the team currently sitting fourth in League Two, pundits are finding it hard to see how the Portuguese coach can turn the tide, fuelling speculation that he may soon be shown the door.
Former Chelsea and Celtic striker Chris Sutton, speaking on BBC Five Live, said: "What an embarrassment for Manchester United. Where does Ruben Amorim go from here? The perception of him now... I don't think he gets over this. A grim night in Grimsby for Ruben's reds."
Ruben Amorim
Pundits are struggling to see how Amorim can turn things around
(Image: Getty Images)
When questioned about the possibility of Amorim being sacked, ex-United forward Louis Saha told ITV Sport: "I think they have some consideration. They have to have a bit of a rough attitude. This ground is difficult to come to but it's what they're here for; they have to perform.
"They have to find solutions. At the moment, we need to see better, speed of play, all this is missing. All the courage you expect from Man United, the quality, it's not there. They have to regroup and find solutions."
Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff criticised Amorim for failing to maximise the potential of his expensive squad. He said: "You can't just go and wipe the decks [when it comes to underperforming players]. For me, that comes back to you as the manager and say, 'Am I getting the best out of you as a group on a consistent basis?'
Manchester United players watch the penalty shootout against Grimsby
Amorim is struggling to get a tune out of his expensive squad
(Image: Getty Images)
"It might be switching away from my belief in a system or a formation, and I just don't think he is. You look at the amount of games he's lost since he's been there.
"Week in, week out, they are not getting a level of performance they should be out of that side. Yes, there's underperformance. Yes, there's a culture that needs a bit of a shift, but he is not getting the best out of that group."
Amorim desperately needs a good result and performance when Burnley visit Old Trafford on Saturday. It's the final match before the international break, with United returning to action with the derby at City on September 14.
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