Manchester United reached a new low in their turbulent season on Wednesday night as they were humiliated and crashed out of the Carabao Cup, losing a marathon penalty shootout 12-11 to League Two side Grimsby Town at a raucous Blundell Park.
The fourth-tier Mariners, who had not faced United since 1948, pulled off one of the biggest cup upsets in recent history as jubilant home fans invaded the pitch to celebrate the club’s greatest night in decades.
For United, the defeat piles more pressure on head coach Ruben Amorim, who admitted his side were “completely lost” as they squandered one of their only realistic shots at silverware this season.
Mariners Make History Under Blundell Park Lights
League Two side, Grimsby Town produced one of the greatest shocks in English football history, dumping Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup in a dramatic 12-11 penalty shootout at Blundell Park.
Grimsby, a club who have twice been relegated to non-league football in the past decade, sealed an unforgettable victory against the 20-time English champions.
Goals from Charles Vernam and ex-United academy product Tyrell Warren gave the Mariners a stunning 2-0 lead at half-time after a woeful display from Ruben Amorim’s side, with goalkeeper Andre Onana culpable for the second goal after fumbling a routine cross.
United fought back through Bryan Mbeumo and a last-minute equaliser from Harry Maguire to force penalties, however, with their wealth of star names, the Red Devils faltered in the shootout.
Matheus Cunha missed United’s fifth spot-kick, and Mbeumo crashed the decisive attempt against the crossbar, handing Grimsby a 12-11 win and sparking a euphoric pitch invasion.
The Mariners’ players and manager David Artell conducted emotional post-match interviews in front of a packed Blundell Park, while jubilant supporters remained in their seats long after the final whistle, soaking in a historic night.
First-Half Horror: Onana Blunder and Defensive Chaos
Manchester United, fielding a side packed with international stars and worth hundreds of millions, were shell-shocked as Grimsby raced into a 2-0 lead within half an hour.
Charles Vernam broke the deadlock with a low finish past Andre Onana, who was left exposed after sloppy midfield play from Amad Diallo and Manuel Ugarte allowed Kieran Green to release Darragh Burns for the cross.
Moments later, Onana turned from victim to villain. The Cameroonian goalkeeper, making his first start of the season, inexplicably dropped a routine cross, allowing former United academy product Tyrell Warren to poke home into an empty net.
Grimsby fans erupted, chanting “sacked in the morning” towards Amorim, who remained in the dugout with a grim expression.
United’s Late Rally: Mbeumo and Maguire Drag Tie to Penalties
Desperate to save the tie, Amorim made a triple substitution at half-time, introducing captain Bruno Fernandes, big-money signing Bryan Mbeumo, and defensive leader Matthijs de Ligt.
The changes added urgency, and Mbeumo pulled one back with a well-taken finish in the 75th minute. In a chaotic finale, Harry Maguire bundled home a stoppage-time equaliser to take the game to penalties.
United’s performance was abject despite their comeback, with Grimsby continuing to threaten on the counterattack in front of their 9,000-strong crowd.
Penalty Drama: Grimsby Hold Their Nerve
The shootout itself was a nerve-shredding epic. Matheus Cunha had the chance to win it for United with their fifth penalty but saw his effort saved.
Both sides converted their next six penalties before Mbeumo smashed his second attempt against the crossbar, sparking wild celebrations.
Grimsby players and fans poured onto the pitch as Amorim remained rooted to the bench.
Amorim: “We Were Completely Lost”
Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim, who has come under mounting pressure after overseeing the club’s worst league season in half a century, admitted his side had “completely lost” their way.
“I think this is a little bit the limit,” Amorim admitted after the game.
“I think something has to change. I think the team and the players spoke really loud today, so that’s it. Tonight, I think the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch.”
“The way we start the game without any intensity, we were completely lost.”
The Portuguese coach, who replaced Erik ten Hag last October, has now suffered defeats to Fulham, Tottenham, and fourth-tier Grimsby in domestic cup competitions.
His side finished 15th in the Premier League last season, their lowest finish since relegation in 1974, and optimism after a £200m summer overhaul has quickly evaporated.
Reaction: Amorim “Really Sorry” as Artell Praises Heroes
Ruben Amorim have also apologised to United supporters:
“No more answers. I do not even have anything to say. I just want to apologise to our fans. I’m really, really sorry.”
“We played well against Arsenal and then we should have won against Fulham. Then to come here in the League Cup when everything is so important in this moment because everything is so scrutinised and we performed like that.
“I think my players spoke really loud about what they want and what they don’t want.”
Meanwhile, Grimsby boss David Artell praised his side’s fearless display:
“Magnificent, absolutely magnificent. From the first whistle, we knew we could make it uncomfortable for them, and the players have been heroes tonight.”
“The fans were unbelievable. This is a night nobody will forget.”
Mariners’ Perfect Night
While United’s humiliation dominates headlines, Grimsby deserve immense credit.
Manager David Artell executed a flawless game plan, urging his players to press high and feed off the electric atmosphere of thousands of Grimsby fans.
He praised his side’s fearless display against the Red Devils:
“Magnificent, absolutely magnificent. From the first whistle, we knew we could make it uncomfortable for them, and the players have been heroes tonight.”
“The fans were unbelievable. This is a night nobody will forget.”
For fans who had never seen Manchester United visit Blundell Park (the clubs last met in 1948) this was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
Manchester United in Crisis: Stats Paint a Grim Picture
This result is the latest embarrassment in a disastrous stretch for United.
They finished 15th in the Premier League last season, their lowest position since relegation in 1974, and have now been dumped out of the Carabao Cup by a side ranked 72 places below them in English football.
Ruben Amorim has failed to impose his tactical blueprint and this have started drawing scrutiny, due to toothless performances from United’ players, after signings like Benjamin Sesko, Cunha, and Mbeumo.
Amorim’s record makes grim reading:
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Premier League win rate: 24.7%, the lowest of any United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Points tally: 42 last season, their worst-ever Premier League total.
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Goals scored: Just 44 in 2024-25, a new low for the club.
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Cup record vs English teams: 1 win (Arsenal, FA Cup on penalties), 4 defeats (Tottenham x2, Fulham, Grimsby).
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No first-half goals: Only Serie A’s Genoa have gone longer without a first-half goal in Europe’s top five leagues.
This latest loss also means Amorim has managed more Premier League games (29) than United have points (28) under his tenure.
The Future of Amorim and Manchester United?
Amorim’s body language spoke volumes. Cameras captured him crouched in the dugout, visibly shaken, as his players lined up for penalties.
Calls of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from jubilant Grimsby fans echoed through the ground.
The result raises serious questions about Amorim’s future. Reports suggest Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and technical director Jason Wilcox are monitoring the situation closely.
Amorim himself cut a forlorn figure when asked if he understood the defeat:
“No, but I’m the manager. It should be my job to understand what happened”.
United host Burnley this weekend in the Premier League, where anything less than victory could turn speculation about his job security into reality.
With just three games old, the Red Devils are already in crisis.
For Grimsby, this victory joins the pantheon of famous cup shocks, but this one is arguably the biggest of all.
A fourth-tier side, built on a fraction of United’s budget, outlasted one of the world’s richest clubs over 210 minutes of football and a marathon 12-11 shootout.
Blundell Park will talk about this night for decades.
