Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim blasted his players in the aftermath of a humbling defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round
09:43, 28 Aug 2025Updated 09:59, 28 Aug 2025
Andre Onana reacts during a Manchester United game
Andre Onana had another terrible match to forget for Manchester United(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside)
Ruben Amorim declined to single out Andre Onana for criticism following another abject display from the Manchester United goalkeeper during the humiliating loss at Grimsby Town.
The Red Devils found themselves trailing 2-0 at Blundell Park on Wednesday evening against League Two opponents in the Carabao Cup second round. Although United fought back through strikes from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire to apparently rescue the tie during regular time, they subsequently suffered a penalty shootout defeat in one of the most shocking cup upsets in history.
It proved to be another forgettable evening for Onana, who was making his first start of the campaign. He was beaten at his near post for Grimsby's opening goal before finding himself stranded in no man's land, essentially handing Tyrell Warren the Mariners' second strike.
The Cameroon shot-stopper's status as United's number one has faced persistent questions following a series of underwhelming performances, and it remains uncertain whether he will continue as the club's first-choice goalkeeper going forward with United seeking reinforcements before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.
However, Amorim declined to pile on the pressure when questioned about Onana after the match, reports the Mirror. He said: "With all respect when you play against a fourth division team, it's not the goalkeeper, it's everything.
Ruben Amorim
Pressure is mounting on Ruben Amorim following Manchester United's defeat at Grimsby(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
"It's the environment. It's the way we face the competition. Everything. With that performance today my players spoke for me really loud."
A dejected Amorim offered no justifications for the remainder of his humiliated squad following the match, acknowledging that the superior side had prevailed after Grimsby came tantalisingly close to eliminating United during regular play.
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Amorim said: "I know that the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch I think the team and the players spoke really loud today. So that's it. We lost; the best team won. I think it was really clear for everybody what happened today.
"It's not just the space [we gave them], but the way we started the game without any intensity - we were completely lost. And it's hard to explain.
"That's why I think they spoke really well. I think they gave the response on the pitch today. When you see something that, like today, it's hard to talk. I just want to say I'm really sorry for the fans."