Man United dumped out of League Cup in Paris as fourth-tier Grimsby pull off shock victory

LONDON, Aug 28 — Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim admitted his team looked “completely lost” as they crashed out of the League Cup in humiliating fashion to fourth-tier Grimsby on Tuesday, piling further pressure on the Portuguese coach.

League Two side Grimsby stunned United by winning a marathon penalty shootout 12-11 after a 2-2 draw. The hosts stormed into a 2-0 half-time lead through Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren, leaving Amorim’s men shell-shocked.

Bryan Mbeumo sparked a late fightback with his first United goal before Harry Maguire equalised with a header to force penalties. However, Matheus Cunha squandered the chance to seal the tie and Mbeumo struck the crossbar with the decisive spot-kick.

A Metropolitan police car is parked during a security threat at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at The Catholic University in Washington, August 21, 2025. — Reuters pic

“I think the best team won — they were the only team truly on the pitch,” Amorim said bluntly. “We started without any intensity, we were completely lost. The players themselves made a loud statement tonight.”

Amorim is already under fire after a winless start in the Premier League, following last season’s disastrous 15th-place finish — United’s lowest since relegation in 1974. Losing one of their few realistic chances at silverware has now deepened the crisis.

A Metropolitan police car is parked during a security threat at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at The Catholic University in Washington, August 21, 2025. — Reuters pic

Despite making eight changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Fulham, Amorim still fielded a star-studded lineup worth hundreds of millions of pounds. New £74 million signing Benjamin Sesko started for the first time, while goalkeeper Andre Onana returned to the lineup but endured a night to forget.

Grimsby, hosting United for the first time since 1948, flew out of the blocks. Vernam drilled a powerful shot past Onana in the 22nd minute, delighting the 9,000-strong Blundell Park crowd. Moments later, Onana’s fumble from a corner allowed Warren to tap in and double the lead.

The Cameroonian’s error-strewn display is expected to intensify speculation linking United with Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens before the transfer window closes.

At half-time, Amorim introduced Bruno Fernandes, Mbeumo and Matthijs de Ligt in search of a rescue. United dominated after the break but lacked sharpness until Mbeumo’s strike from distance and Maguire’s late header. Sesko then wasted a golden chance in stoppage time, skying over from close range.

The penalty shootout provided more drama. Cunha missed the opportunity to win it at 4-4, before both sides traded 15 more successful kicks — including from their goalkeepers — until Mbeumo’s miss ended United’s hopes.

Elsewhere, Brighton thrashed Oxford 6-0 with debutant Stefanos Tzimas scoring twice, while Fulham and Everton progressed with 2-0 wins over Bristol City and Mansfield respectively. — AFP