Man Utd crash out of Carabao Cup to Grimsby in penalty shootout

Manchester United plunged to a new low under Ruben Amorim as they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town after a chaotic penalty shootout at Blundell Park.

United, already under pressure after failing to win their opening two Premier League fixtures, saw their hopes of a domestic trophy dented after goalkeeper Andre Onana gifted the hosts two goals on his first appearance of the season.

Onana allowed Charles Vernan’s 22nd-minute effort to sneak past him at the near post before misjudging a cross eight minutes later, leaving Tyrell Warren with a simple finish. “It’s car crash TV as far as United and Onana are concerned,” said Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith. “It always transmits to your defenders if your goalkeeper is a nervous wreck.”

Grimsby thought they had a third when Cameron Gardner finished coolly in the second half, only for the strike to be controversially ruled out for offside after Harry Maguire’s touch was deemed unintentional.

United rallied late, with Bryan Mbeumo halving the deficit shortly after coming on before Maguire powered home a header in the 88th minute to force penalties.

But the shootout descended into chaos, with Grimsby eventually prevailing to spark wild celebrations.

Amorim: “It’s everything, not just the goalkeeper”

Speaking afterwards, Amorim did not single out Onana, instead blaming the team’s lack of intensity:

“It doesn’t matter if we recovered or not. The best team won, the only team on the pitch. We started without intensity, we were completely lost. The players spoke really loud today—it was clear for everybody.”

The Portuguese coach apologised to fans, admitting the display carried echoes of last season’s struggles:

“When you lose but see something new, it’s different. But when you see the same things again, it’s hard to explain. I just want to say sorry to the fans.”

Artell: “We should have won in 90 minutes”

Grimsby Town boss David Artell hailed his players’ performance but insisted the tie should have been wrapped up earlier:

“The lads were terrific. They deserve every plaudit. We played an excellent team with a very good manager, but we should have won it in 90 minutes—it shouldn’t have gone to the most ridiculous penalty shootout of my career.”

The result piles further pressure on Amorim, with United’s season already threatening to unravel just weeks into the campaign.