Grimsby Town’s goalkeeper Christy Pym had arguably the most memorable game of his career after beating his own club Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.
The League Two side pulled off a magnificent upset on Wednesday, outplaying and embarrassing the Premier League visitors and even going 2-0 up before a late Red Devils comeback via Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire made it 2-2.
It was Grimsby who were victorious in the end though, winning 12-11 on penalties as Mbeumo missed the vital spot kick in sudden death, triggering scenes even those in Serie A are envying. Mariners’ hero Pym is a self-confessed Man United fan, so going head-to-head with his team’s goalkeeper must have been truly bizarre, let alone beating him.
The ex-Mansfield star made seven saves, stopped Matheus Cunha’s penalty, and scored one of his own in the shootout as his side beat a club three leagues above them. But as the sun came up after Grimsby’s best game in recent history, Pym has shown his class after being asked about the opposition’s goalkeeper.
Grimsby Town's Christy Pym
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Christy Pym says Andre Onana needs his ‘confidence’ back
It was a bad night for Red Devils goalkeeper Onana who returned to the starting line-up after missing the Arsenal game through injury and being on the bench against Fulham.
The ex-Inter Milan stopper missed the ball from a corner for Grimsby’s second goal scored by Tyrell Warren, and was unable to stop the Mariners in the resulting penalty shoot out.
Man United manager Ruben Amorim refused to put the blame on his goalkeeper, saying: “With all due respect, when you play against a fourth-division team, it’s not the goalkeeper, it’s everything.”
Now, Onana’s fellow goalkeeper Pym has said some kind words about his under-fire opponent.
Andre Onana playing against Grimsby Town
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Speaking on talkSPORT on Thursday morning, the 30-year-old was asked if he got to chat to Onana after the game.
“No, I didn’t get a chance to chat to him, obviously all the fans swarmed on the pitch and it was a bit crazy,” he said. “But yeah, being a goalkeeper is a lonely position. I’ve had spells at clubs where it doesn’t go well and it’s hard to get that form back.
“Confidence is a big thing. He’s not there by chance, they’ve obviously seen something in him to sign him. So it’s just about getting that confidence back, whether that will be at Man United or somewhere else.”
Pym has only been at Blundell Park for just shy of two months, and his path to knocking the Red Devils out the cup was an unconventional one.
Grimsby Town goalkeeper signed for the Mariners after bizarre poolside meeting
The Exeter City youth product was playing for League One Mansfield Town for the last three seasons, making 138 appearances.
He was a free agent following the expiration of his Stags deal – that was until he met a member of Grimsby’s staff while on his summer break abroad.
Anyone for Pyms? 😉
We are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Christy Pym on a two-year deal!
Proudly sponsored by @LloydGriffith.#GTFC
— Grimsby Town F.C. (@officialgtfc) July 9, 2025
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When asked if it was true Pym only signed for Grimsby because he bumped into their goalkeeping coach on holiday, the glovesman said: “Yeah, that’s true! I was in Portugal in the summer sat by the pool with a cocktail. We had a good chat by the pool and got on really well.
“It’s just ever since that discussion with him I wanted to come, yeah.”
Quizzed on whether the cocktail drinking went on all day, he smiled: “Thankfully it was an all-inclusive! Yeah, I’m not on Man United wages, so I didn’t need to buy a drink!”
Fast forward to today, and that Portugal chat has led Pym to beat his boyhood club. Grimsby will face Sheffield Wednesday – who pulled off their own upset – in the next round.