Manchester United fans were left seething after seeing what Ruben Amorim did during his side’s humiliating Carabao Cup penalty shoot-out loss to League Two Grimsby Town.
The Red Devils, who were playing in the second round of the League Cup after failing to qualify for European football, were behind 2-0 at halftime against the Mariners thanks to goals from Tyrell Warren and Charles Vernam.
At halftime, Amorim substituted Matthijs de Ligt and captain Bruno Fernandes, and United rallied to a 2-2 draw thanks to goals from Harry Maguire and Bryan Mbeumo.
At Blundell Park, the match went all the way to penalties, when a wild shootout resulted in 26 goals.
After both teams kept finding the net, Mbeumo smashed his second spot-kick attempt against the crossbar to give the minnows a 12-11 victory on penalties and start a wild pitch invasion. Matheus Cunha missed the opportunity to win the match when his effort was saved.
Amorim, who appeared to be a shell of his former self during the shootout, is under additional pressure due to the way the game ended.
Cameras caught Amorim sitting on the bench, unable to watch any of the penalties, when Fulham had a corner on Sunday.
Fans accused the Portuguese of lacking leadership qualities by “hiding” and “”cowering” and setting a bad example to his players.
One fan on X vented: “Fergie had his eyes glued in a champions league final penalty shootout, Amorim hid behind his staff because he couldn’t watch a penalty shootout in the 2nd round of the league cup against Grimbsy.
A second observed: “Amorim literally hiding during that penalty shootout.”
A third wrote: “Ruben Amorim was hiding and covering his face from the cameras while his team was getting embarrassed by Grimsby Town on penalties. I have never seen anything like this .”
A furious fourth commented: “No Manager of Manchester United cowers away in the dugout during a penalty shootout. What vibes does that transmit to the players? It’s a joke. A laughing stock and it’s a crime. Sack Amorim tonight.”
Amorim admits Man United deserved to lose
Amorim was dejected as can be in his post-match interview, admitting that the better team won and claiming his players “spoke really loud” and were “completely lost” when they started the game.
“I think the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch,” Amorim told Sky Sports.
“The best players lose because one team can win against any group of players, and I think the team and the players spoke really loud today, so that’s it. We lost, the best team won.
“I think it’s really clear what they spoke, so let’s move on from this day and I think it was clear for everybody what happened today.
“The way we start the game without any intensity, all the idea of the pressure, we were completely lost and that’s why I think they spoke really loud.”
United look to finally get a win onboard when they host newly-promoted Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday.
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