Man Utd suffer humiliating Carabao Cup exit to League Two Grimsby as Ruben Amorim hits new low

It isn't even the end of August and Manchester United’s season has already entered crisis point after a humiliating Carabao Cup exit at Grimsby Town.

David Artell’s League Two heroes pulled off a glorious win over Ruben Amorim’s wretched collection of expensive misfits to send Old Trafford into another period of anguished navel-gazing.

It took a crazy, elongated penalty shoot-out in the end but, after being pegged back twice late on in the 90 minutes, Grimsby prevailed 12-11 to send Blundell Park bonkers.

Bryan Mbeumo’s miss on the second time around for the spot-kick takers decided the issue after United had grabbed two goals in the last 15 minutes to take the game to penalties.

Grimsby’s record against Manchester United was good - unbeaten in their last three meetings. The only problem was those were in 1946, 1947 and 1948. The 77 years between dinners only added to the sense of anticipation in North East Lincolnshire.

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On a huge night for the port town, Blundell Park - packed to its old school rafters - was jumping. The inflatable Harry Haddocks were everywhere plus a banner announcing with decent chip shop humour that Manchester United were going to get battered.

In the first half they were. Grimsby made a great start, pressuring United into error after error. The visitors did not have a moment on the ball.

Grimsby were making the running and they got their reward when they took the lead in the 22nd minute.

Manuel Ugarte and Amad Diallo collided in midfield, the ball broke to Grimsby and they worked the play to the right where Darragh Burns’ left-footed cross found the unmarked Charles Vernam who controlled it before burying the chance low to Andre Onana’s left.

The United goalkeeper should have done better and so should full-back Tyler Fredricson who ambled across to close down Vernam. Grimsby had the ball in the net again six minutes later after Cam Gardner bundled it in but the goal was chalked off for hand ball by the striker.

The second wasn’t long in coming. As Grimsby worked a short corner routine, Onana flapped at a cross from Vernam, missed it completely and Tyrrell Warren walked the ball into the unguarded net.

It was the former Manchester United youth player’s first goal for the Mariners. Thirty-two minutes played, 2-0 to Grimsby and United were in shock.

Benjamin Sesko, making his first start since his £73.5m move from RB Leipzig, forced Grimsby goalkeeper Christy Pym into two sharp saves, the first low down to his left from a shot, the second to his right from a header after Diogo Dalot had picked him out with a cross.

But that and a couple of efforts from Amad Diallo were all United could manage in a chastening opening period in Cleethorpes. Ruben Amorim’s response was to make a triple change at half time, bringing on Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Matthijs de Ligt.

United turned up the dial as they had to and Heaven put a free header over the bar from Mbeumo’s free-kick then Pym made a great save from Fernandes’s drive.

Grimsby had another goal from Gardner contentiously disallowed for offside before Mbeumo cut the deficit with 15 minutes remaining. The United substitute cut in from the left and found the corner for his first goal since joining the club in the summer.

Sesko found himself clean through with six minutes left as the ball stuck in a puddle by Cameron McJannet got back to save the day for Grimsby.

United laid siege to the home side’s goal in search of the equaliser and Harry Maguire delivered it in the 89th minute, stooping to head home Mason Mount’s far-post corner. That took it to penalties.

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