Manchester United lost to League Two's Grimsby in the Carabao Cup following a marathon penalty shootout that finished 12-11 after Matheus Cunha missed the decisive regulation kick and Bryan Mbeumo struck the bar. United trailed 2-0 after 30 minutes, showed little intensity or rhythm, and risked falling further behind before late goals from Mbeumo and Harry Maguire forced penalties. Manager Ruben Amorim described the players as "completely lost", said changes were needed and acknowledged the opponents deserved the win. The defeat eliminates one of United's realistic trophy chances early in the season after a dismal previous league campaign.
The defeat against League Two opposition marks a new low for the Premier League side under Amorim and any optimism evident prior to the new campaign is already dissipating. United, who trailed 2-0 after 30 minutes and could have found themselves three goals down in the second period, lacked any rhythm in an abject showing before Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire delivered late goals to take the tie to penalties.
Reflecting on the defeat, Amorim said: "I think this is a little bit the limit. I think something has to change. In this moment, we need to focus on the weekend and then we have time to think. [Tonight] I think the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch." Of his own players' performance, he added: "I think the team and the players spoke really loud today, so that's it.
United, 20 times English champions, finished 15th last season in their worst league campaign since being relegated in 1974. Now one of their only two realistic opportunities to win a trophy this season has disappeared following one of the worst results in the club's history. Amorim made eight changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Fulham on Sunday, but still named a side packed full of internationals and worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
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