Ruben Amorim has now been told one major issue that his Manchester United side faced in their penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup competition.
The 40-year-old Manchester United manager has already been hit with one key setback in the Red Devils’ bid to win major silverware in the new season.
United kicked off their 2025-26 Carabao Cup campaign on Wednesday and the Red Devils failed to reach the third round after a shocking upset from Grimsby Town.
Grimsby defeated United 12-11 on penalties at Blundell Park, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo (on his second spot-kick attempt) missing for the Red Devils.
United had to fight back against Grimsby in a rain-soaked Blundell Park after Ruben Amorim watched his men concede twice in the first half of the Carabao Cup tie.
Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren put Grimsby 2-0 up at the break before Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire pulled United level in the second half on Wednesday.
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Matheus Cunha reacts during the Carabao Cup match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United at Blundell Park in 2025 in Grimsby, England.
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith showed the big problem that Man Utd faced in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim turned to his bench at half-time and the Portuguese coach rolled the dice with his key triple substitution on the night.
Bruno Fernandes, Matthijs de Ligt and Bryan Mbeumo all came off the bench and Patrick Dorgu, Tyler Fredricson and Manuel Ugarte were hooked off the pitch.
Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith provided analysis during the match and he pointed out that United were “lifted” with the introduction of the substitutes in the second half.
However, he added that Amorim’s tactical system for United faced one issue against Grimsby Town in the second-round Carabao Cup tie, even after the changes were made.
“The changes have lifted Manchester United – and boy, did they need lifting,” Smith said, as per Sky Sports.
“But United continue to look vulnerable whenever they go forward.”
Before the introduction of Bruno Fernandes, Matthijs de Ligt and Mbeumo, Smith highlighted that United’s weakness was allowing Grimsby to attack up the pitch.
“When Grimsby go forward, they are continuing to get encouragement,” he said.
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Ruben Amorim’s reaction to Man Utd crashing out of the Carabao Cup after the penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town
United manager Amorim is now facing growing pressure on his shoulders after the Red Devils’ mixed start to the 2025-26 campaign at Old Trafford under his reign.
The Red Devils suffered a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford in their Premier League opener before United’s 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Amorim made his feelings clear that the ‘better team’ won on Wednesday evening and United were second best to Grimsby in the second-round Carabao Cup tie.
“I know the best team won today,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“The best players lost, because when you are a team, you can win any game. It was really fair the football today.”
United are 16th in the Premier League table and the Red Devils will face Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, with a 3pm kick-off time set in the UK.