Gabby Agbonlahor has branded Manchester United’s players and staff 'cowards' following their Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby.
United suffered an embarrassing penalty shootout defeat to the League Two club on Wednesday.
Bryan Mbeumo missed the decisive penalty as Manchester United were sent crashing at Grimsby
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Bryan Mbeumo missed the decisive penalty as Manchester United were sent crashing at GrimsbyCredit: Getty
The Red Devils clawed themselves back into the game after falling 2-0 behind to force extra time.
But Grimsby held their nerve to seal victory on spot kicks (12-11) to earn their spot in the third round against Sheffield Wednesday.
The defeat means Ruben Amorim’s side have just the Premier League and FA Cup to fight for this season and that’s before the end of August.
United’s exit served as a new low for the club who are already without European football this season.
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Gabby rips into Man United
It was the manner of Wednesday night’s defeat that left such a bitter taste for Agbonlahor.
“When you say Manchester United now, you think embarrassing, a bunch of bluffers, not a team, no leaders,” the former Aston Villa striker told talkSPORT.
“What summed up Manchester United was their manager looking away and not watching the penalty shootout.
“I get it if you’re in an FA Cup final or a Champions League knockout game and it’s the last penalty and managers look away. But for the whole penalty shootout, he looks away.
“That team is a shambles and it doesn’t matter who they sign. They can sign Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko but nothing’s going to change.
“What the players have done to those Manchester United fans that went to Grimsby last night, they need to pay for their ticket price, their travel, food and drinks.”
Ruben Amorim could not believe what was unfolding at Blundell Park
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Ruben Amorim could not believe what was unfolding at Blundell ParkCredit: Getty
Gabby Agbonlahor slammed Manchester United's attitude in the defeat
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Gabby Agbonlahor slammed Manchester United's attitude in the defeatCredit: talkSPORT
There was optimism following United’s spirited display in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season.
Amorim lauded his side claiming they were more aggressive than last season and was buoyed by the energy, togetherness and bravery his players showed against the Gunners.
However, Just ten days after his comments United reverted back to factory settings, failing to display any of the attributes that had previously delighted the United boss
“Did you hear the manager after the Arsenal game? He said we can beat anyone on our day. So can my local Sunday league team on their day, what are you talking about?,” Agbonlahor said.
“You go to Fulham and you play for 10 minutes and you don’t turn up for 85 minutes with added time.
“Last night, you turn up when you’re 2-0 down and Harry Maguire was probably Manchester United’s best player but his mistake should have been a goal to make it 3-0.
Captain Bruno Fernandes could do little to prevent his side slipping to an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit
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Captain Bruno Fernandes could do little to prevent his side slipping to an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit
“But I just look at that squad of players and I think that club has a real problem.
“You can buy players because your revenue is £700million. You’ll keep having transfer windows where you can’t make any revenue by selling players but you’ve still got £200m to spend, but nothing will change.”
United’s effort was called into question against Grimsby with the League Two team deserving of their 2-0 half-time advantage.
Agbonlahor says Grimsby took full advantage of United’s frailties before reserving some choice words for Amorim, his backroom staff and the players.
“Grimsby knows that they’re soft. It doesn’t matter that their name is Manchester United and Grimsby’s manager said before the game, ‘yes, they’ve got very good players but it's still 11 v 11,” Agbonlahor added.
“But Manchester United are soft from back to front. Management, coaching staff, goalkeeper – he can’t catch the ball.
Agbonlahor was particularly critical of Benjamin Sesko and his role in the penalty shootout defeat
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Agbonlahor was particularly critical of Benjamin Sesko and his role in the penalty shootout defeatCredit: Getty
“Also, the star striker (Sesko) was 10th in line to take a penalty. How can your star striker let all the defenders take a penalty before you? It shows a lot about your character.
“Then he takes one and scores it. That shows to me that he’s a coward as well.
“A lot of those players are cowards, I don’t use that word softly because there’s nothing worse as a man than being called a coward.
“But a lot of those Manchester United players are cowards, the manager as well.”
Crook questions whether Amorim is the right fit
talkSPORT's chief football correspondent Alex Crook slammed United's display at Grimsby labelling it a 'shambles'.
"Where do you start, honestly? Shambles. It was the most humiliating Manchester United performance I think I’ve ever seen," Crook said.
Amorim's sketchy record shows no sign of improvement
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Amorim's sketchy record shows no sign of improvementCredit: AFP
"United used to release an end-of-season DVD, they don’t any more because there’s not much to celebrate.
"It’s not funny for Manchester United fans. Just when you think the club has reached its nadir, they manage to find new ways to stink the place out.
"The system is going to be Ruben Amorim’s downfall. Why do you need three central defenders away from home against League Two Grimsby?"
Crook then laid bare a brutal statistic that underpins Amorim's shoddy reign at Old Trafford before questioning whether he is the right man to turn around the club's fortunes.
"Amorim has been there nine months, he’s had 29 games in the Premier League he’s got fewer points than he’s had games," he added.
"You don't get nine months at any club in the Premier League let alone a club of the stature of Man United and there isn’t any progress.
"He was hiding in the dugout last night during the penalty shootout. That’s not leadership from your manager.
"They spent £70m on a new No. 9. He’s the 10th penalty taker, I was screaming at the television ‘where’s Sesko?’
"I like the guy by the way, but at the moment it looks like this job is too big for him.”
The fan view
Fans called talkSPORT in their droves to have their say on Wednesday night's exit and the current state of the club.
And it appears that the early support for Amorim is now on the wain with one fan believing the club could even be embroiled in a relegation battle.
"I’ve gone through everything. I’ve been Amorim out, Amorim in, [Erik] Ten Hag back in the last 10 minutes. I don’t know what to do," said United fan Joseph.
"We’ll sack Amorim but we’ll do the same mistake again and get another second-rate manager. It’s disgusting.
"He has to go, but who’s going to replace him?
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Manager Sean Dyche of Burnley looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley at Etihad Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
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One United fan proposed ex-Everton and Burnley boss Sean Dyche as Amorim's successorCredit: Getty
"Sean Dyche, he would do a job wouldn't he? But they wont get him in."
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Meanwhile, United fan James says Amorim must adopt a more flexible approach otherwise the club are in danger of dropping to the Championship.
"I didn't think it could get any worse for Man United. If Amorim doesn’t change his tactics then I seriously think we could be contenders for Championship football next season."