Manchester United suffered a humiliating exit from the Carabao Cup after being knocked out by League Two side Grimsby Town in a dramatic 12-11 penalty shootout at Blundell Park. In what was a true cup upset, United were punished for defensive mistakes and failed to make their second-half comeback count in the end.
Things started poorly for Ruben Amorim’s side as Grimsby capitalised on two costly errors from goalkeeper Andre Onana. The first goal saw Onana beaten at his near post by Charles Vernam, and minutes later, the Cameroonian misjudged a corner, allowing Tyrell Warren to head in unchallenged to make it 2-0.
United looked rattled and struggled to break down a resilient Grimsby side until the introduction of Bryan Mbeumo at half-time. The summer signing made an instant impact, injecting urgency and creativity into the final third. He pulled one back in the 75th minute with a composed solo finish that gave United hope. That momentum continued as Harry Maguire, once again stepping up when it mattered most, powered in an equaliser from a corner to level the tie at 2-2 and force a penalty shootout.
The shootout was an epic one — a tense, marathon exchange of 26 penalties that ended with Mbeumo, the earlier hero, hitting the crossbar. Grimsby converted theirs and completed a famous victory in front of their home fans.
Despite the loss, Kobbie Mainoo’s performance stood out. The 20-year-old midfielder showed poise, energy, and technical excellence throughout the match. With speculation surrounding his future, Mainoo made a strong case for a regular starting spot and earned widespread praise from fans and pundits alike.
The result puts further pressure on Ruben Amorim, who had hoped to use this cup fixture to regain momentum after a mixed start to the season. Instead, it has added to growing concerns around his tactics, squad selection, and most notably, the form of goalkeeper Andre Onana — who may not remain at the club much longer with Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens reportedly close to a move.
United now turn their focus to a crucial Premier League clash against Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday. Only a dominant performance will satisfy fans after this latest disappointment, and anything less could bring further scrutiny heading into the international break.
For Grimsby, it’s a night to remember. For United, it’s a harsh reality check.
