Three things learned as Man Utd crash out of Carabao Cup in humiliating fashion to Grimsby on penalties

Three things learned as Man Utd crash out of Carabao Cup in humiliating fashion to Grimsby on penalties

Three things learned as Man Utd crash out of Carabao Cup in humiliating fashion to Grimsby on penalties

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GETTY/REUTERS

Ben McCaffrey

By Ben McCaffrey


Published: 27/08/2025

- 22:17

Updated: 27/08/2025

- 22:34

ANALYSIS: Multi-skilled journalist Ben McCaffrey gives his thoughts after Manchester United knocked out of the Carabao Cup

Manchester United have astonishingly been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two outfit Grimsby Town on penalties after a remarkable shoot-out that saw 26 spot kicks taken.

The result proved nothing less than the Mariners deserved, having dominated much of the game and seeing a goal wrongly chalked off.


The game began with United under the cosh, Grimsby looking like the Premier League team and the Red Devils the team who were hanging on.

And it took just 22 minutes for Grimsby to grab their deserved lead. Charles Vernam found himself in acres of space in the United box with Diogo Dalot nowhere to be seen.

Charles Vernam

Charles Vernam put Grimsby into the lead after 22 minutes after miserable defending from United

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REUTERS

The forward took a touch and fired it at Onana's near post, with the ball squirming underneath the goalkeeper.

Just eight minutes later and Grimsby would double their lead, and this time it was even more disastrous for the United keeper.

Panic ensued when the Mariners put the ball into the box from a corner, causing Onana to rush from his goal line in an attempt to punch the ball clear of danger.

Andre Onana

Andre Onana will be disappointed with both goals conceded

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REUTERS

However, the former Inter Milan shotstopper missed the ball entirely, leaving a simple tap-in for former United trainee Tyrell Warren.

The Mariners then saw a goal controversially chalked off for offside, despite Harry Maguire deliberately playing the ball, late into the match.

United were given a lifeline by substitute Bryan Mbeumo, who caressed the ball into the far corner for his first goal for the club with 15 minutes to go.

And the hope turned to reality in the form of Harry Maguire, who towered at the back post to nick an equaliser at the death and take the game to penalties.

Onana had his chance to rewrite the script with the shoot-out, and he appeared to do so with a superb save. But he did not cover himself in glory for the remaining shoot-out, getting a hand to multiple spot kicks as the ball trickled through.

And it was Mbeumo who hit the bar, resulting in the extraordinary upset and sent United out of the Carabao Cup.

With that being said, here's three things we learned from the astonishing game.

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Ruben Amorim’s tactics do not work - regardless of the opposition

Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim's Manchester United have not won a game this season yet

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REUTERS

Amorim has persisted and persisted with his tactics, and there is some admirability to his stubbornness, his assuredness of his system. Unfortunately, tonight was one step too far, one loss too many: it is not working.

Under the Portuguese, United have been at sixes and sevens at the back. Even League Two Grimsby - who wholly deserved the win on the night - could pick apart the defence with ease.

Too many times were the back three, or five, caught out at the back. A simple ball between the wing-back and the centre-back and Grimsby were through. It’s too easy to exploit this United team.

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And going forward, if £200million of new attacking force can’t get you any more goals, then the problem must run deeper.

The disconnect from the wing-backs and midfielders, who play deep, to the front three, who stay forward, is too much.

The attackers get drowned out, the midfield is overran and the defence is picked apart too easily. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem Amorim will make the change, and what made him a hero at Sporting Lisbon could be his downfall at Old Trafford.

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Andre Onana must leave the club

Andre OnanaAndre Onana's time at Old Trafford is surely over | REUTERS

If it was assumed before tonight’s match, it is now definitely all but confirmed. It is time for Onana to leave Old Trafford; it’s the best for all parties.

Onana’s time at the club has been a catastrophe from start to finish. He has struggled with the ball at his feet and been no better when saving efforts on his goal, while failing to command his box as well.

Both United and Onana need to cut their losses immediately and part ways, because there is still a route out for Onana. He could still attract a European team - but he has to leave now.

Amorim, having already expelled the 29-year-old from his Premier League starting 11, will most likely now be out of the squad altogether. He could even join the famed ‘bomb squad’ of Red Devils exiles looking to depart.

£200million has not been spent wisely

Bryan Mbeumo

New signing Bryan Mbeumo missed the crucial penalty after he scored the first goal of his Manchester United career during the game

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GETTY

United did not attract bad players in Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko this summer - but has the money really been spent wisely?

The Red Devils scored just 44 league goals last year, the second-least behind the relegated sides and Everton, so clearly improvements up top were required.

But United do not have an endless pit of money, so one can imagine that £200million is a fair chunk of whatever transfer kitty they may have at Old Trafford this summer.

With that being said, it is evident that the attack was not the only area of the squad that is crying out for additions. Their midfield has been devoid of quality or legs, their centre-backs all faced injury issues last year and their goalkeeper - the less said the better.

Improving the squad and not just their front three had to be a priority this summer. If the front three receive little service from the wing-backs or midfield, if they concede goals every game at the back, how can they expect to win games consistently?