MUTV pundit Phil Bardsley has singled out two key first-team Manchester United players in the shocking Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town on penalties.
Grimsby Town hosted Manchester United at Blundell Park on Wednesday evening and David Artell’s men caused a stunning upset in the second-round encounter.
United and Grimsby played out a nail-biting penalty shootout after the 2-2 scoreline in regular playing time, with the League Two side converting all 12 of their penalties.
The Red Devils were unable to prevent themselves from crashing out of the Carabao Cup and avoiding further embarrassment for Ruben Amorim early in the new season.
Matheus Cunha was denied from the spot-kick for United in Wednesday’s defeat, while Bryan Mbeumo converted his initial penalty before missing his second attempt.
United faced an uphill challenge to seal a win over Grimsby in the first place after a horror-show first-half performance saw the Red Devils 2-0 down at half-time.
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Players of Manchester United looks dejected during the penalty shootout during the Carabao Cup match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United at Blundell Park in 2025 in Grimsby, England.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
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What Phil Bardsley said on MUTV about Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes after Man Utd’s Carabao Cup result vs Grimsby Town
Ruben Amorim made a major triple substitution change after half-time at Blundell Park, with Manchester United chasing down a 2-0 scoreline at the time.
Patrick Dorgu made way and Bryan Mbeumo was subbed on, while Bruno Fernandes replaced Tyler Fredricson and Matthijs de Ligt came on for Manuel Ugarte.
Mbeumo had a key impact in the second half of the contest, with the former Brentford ace netting for United after Kobbie Mainoo picked up an assist in the match.
United pulled themselves level late in the second half after Harry Maguire connected with a Mason Mount corner and the defender turned a header in at the back post.
Speaking after United’s penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, MUTV pundit Phil Bardsley praised what Bruno Fernandes and Mbeumo brought to the second half.
“Yeah, you’re always gonna get that from Bruno Fernandes and Mbeumo,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“Obviously, we watched them against Arsenal; runs in behind [that] he was making and obviously Bruno finding him with passes.
“But I think it’s the quality and intensity that they bring to the game as well that they brought to that second half.
“And, you know, if we’re all being honest, it was a far better second half than it was first.”
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Man Utd suffered a major setback in the 2025-26 campaign and all of the pressure is now on Ruben Amorim
United’s Carabao Cup campaign started and ended on Wednesday night at Blundell Park, with Grimsby punching their ticket to the third round of the competition.
The defeat to League Two outfit Grimsby was a red-faced moment for United manager Ruben Amorim, who was already facing pressure early in the new season.
United have already been dealt a major blow to their ambitions for any kind of silverware this season, with the Red Devils not competing in Europe this season.
The Red Devils have endured a mixed start to the 2025-26 Premier League season after United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford and 1-1 away draw with Fulham.
However, the penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby is an all-time low moment for this season early on and Amorim must find a way to rally his United players back.