Another chapter in Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United crisis. The Old Trafford side, hoping to use the match against modest Grimsby Town to build some confidence, stumbled once again and remain winless in the 2025–26 season.

Manchester United’s earliest EFL Cup debut in a decade—forced by a disastrous 2024–25 campaign with no silverware—ended in yet another historic setback.

Not even the weakness of their League Two opponents was enough for Rúben Amorim’s side to find some morale after a miserable start to the new season. United managed to salvage some pride by coming back from 2–0 down and forcing a penalty shootout, but justice was done as the underdogs claimed a famous win.

The Mariners deepened United’s identity crisis, racing into a 2–0 lead within 30 minutes thanks to goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren. The home crowd was electric, and Grimsby managed to hold off United’s star-studded attack for over an hour.

With 15 minutes to go, Bryan Mbeumo pulled one back and United pushed forward with desperation, eventually equalising through Harry Maguire in the dying moments. But penalties sealed their fate—Grimsby triumphed, leaving Amorim’s project hanging by a thread.

Charles Vernam

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