Ruben Amorim faces significant scrutiny after Manchester United's Carabao Cup elimination by League Two side Grimsby Town, during which he was seen 'cowering' in the dugout during the penalty shootout. Amorim called the performance 'a little bit the limit' and warned that something must change, having previously claimed he would step aside if poor form continued. United have failed to win their first three matches of the season and invested heavily in new forwards this summer. Amorim holds the lowest win percentage of any permanent United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson, intensifying pressure ahead of upcoming fixtures.
There have been some low points in Ruben Amorim's Manchester United tenure, but a vote of confidence from the manager of League Two Grimsby Town after they have just knocked you out of the Carabao Cup has to be up there. Perhaps the enduring image of the evening was the sight of the Portuguese "cowering" - as described by BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone - in the dugout during the penalty shootout, unable to watch.
Most United fans would have predicted a tricky night on the Lincolnshire coast but victory was also expected, with almost 200m spent on a new forward line this summer. A combined 130m started in the shape of Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, with 65m Bryan Mbeumo appearing from the bench. But the defeat adds to a worrying trend of results for Amorim.
The former Sporting boss said at the end of last season that if the club's poor form continued into this season he would step aside as manager. What is clear is that this latest defeat - United's third match without a win to start the campaign - leaves the 40-year-old in a fragile position. Can he survive the latest crisis at Old Trafford? Manchester United's defeat by Grimsby has made headlines around the world.
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