Manchester United crashed out of the Carabao Cup in humiliating fashion, falling to League Two Grimsby Town 12-11 on penalties at Blundell Park.
The defeat represents the first occasion United have been eliminated by fourth-tier opposition in the competition's history.
The Premier League giants, who have invested more than £200 million in new players since last season's conclusion, suffered their earliest Carabao Cup exit since 2014.
Despite recovering from a two-goal deficit to force penalties, United's summer acquisitions Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha failed to convert their spot-kicks in the marathon shootout.
Ruben Amorim repeated the claim 'I felt by players spoke really loud today' to several media outlets
|ITV
The shocking result compounds United's miserable start to the campaign, having secured just one point from their opening two Premier League fixtures.
Manager Ruben Amorim delivered a damning verdict on his squad's display, offering an apology to supporters whilst questioning his players' commitment.
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"I just have to say sorry to our fans, but I felt my players spoke really loud today what they want," Amorim stated post-match.
The Portuguese coach insisted that "the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch" and repeatedly emphasised how his squad had "spoke really loud" through their performance, repeating that statement to several media outlets.
When pressed to elaborate on this cryptic assessment, Amorim responded: "I think it's easy for you [to know].
"Let's focus on the next game and then we have the stop for the international games. We will think things through."
Grimsby seized control through Charles Vernam's 22nd-minute effort that beat Andre Onana at his near post, before Tyrell Warren doubled the advantage eight minutes later following the goalkeeper's missed punch.
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Grimsby beat United on penalties, having gone 2-0 up earlier in the contest
|REUTERS
United's fightback materialised in the closing stages when Mbeumo netted with 15 minutes remaining. Harry Maguire's header just 60 seconds from time forced the penalty shootout.
The marathon spot-kick contest extended to 26 attempts before reaching its conclusion. Mbeumo's second penalty miss proved decisive, allowing the League Two outfit to secure their historic victory.
Onana, who had been recalled to the starting XI, managed only a single save throughout the entire shootout sequence as United's cup campaign ended in embarrassment.
Ruben Amorim called out his players in his post-match press conference and said 'something' needed to change
|REUTERS
Amorim warned that the club had reached a critical juncture, and hinted that the sack might be around the corner, saying: "I think this is a little bit the limit. I think something has to change."
"You cannot change everything in one summer.
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"I think the players spoke really loudly about what they want today."
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 27, 2025
"I just want to apologise to our fans."
"Something has to change and you're not going to change 22 players again."
Ruben Amorim speaks with @gabrielclarke05 after defeat to Grimsby#MUFC | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/anXoVFHoMP
"When you play against a fourth division team, it's not the goalkeeper [that costs you the win], it's everything."
The Portuguese coach highlighted systemic issues, citing "the environment" and "the way we face the competition" as fundamental concerns requiring immediate attention.
United face Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday in the Premier League next, with huge pressure now on Amorim's shoulders.