Manchester United crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night following a shock defeat against Grimsby Town.
Ruben Amorim will be under more pressure after Manchester United lost to Grimsby Town on penalties in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Andre Onana, who came back into the starting lineup after Altay Bayindir was replaced in goal, gave United two howlers that put them behind 2-0 at halftime.
Amorim attempted to shift the course of the game by making a number of adjustments in the second half. After Harry Maguire and Bryan Mbeumo scored goals to square the score at two, United did enough to force the match to penalties.
Due to penalties, United lost 12–11. Given that United has lost three straight games since the 2025–26 season began, the outcome will raise more concerns about Amorim’s preferred system and strategy.
Phil Jones questions Ruben Amorim’s tactical approach vs Grimsby Town
Individual mistakes against Grimsby Town undoubtedly disappointed Amorim.
After Grimsby Town’s first goal, Diogo Dalot, Tyler Fredricson, and Onana were all criticized. That was before another howler a few minutes later soured Onana’s evening.
The fact that United used a back five when they were trying to score in the second half, however, cannot be ignored.
When the opposition is a League Two team, it is dubious.
After Mason Mount was substituted in the 65th minute, former United defender Phil Jones criticized Amorim’s strategy in an interview with Sky Sports after the game.
“We were building a back five against Grimsby,” Jones said during the live broadcast.
“We were sitting on the edge of the box, and the spare man was almost in build-up when we needed that spare man high up the pitch to overload wide and through the middle.”
Despite Amorim’s many changes as United chased the game, the United head coach was unwilling to change his formation to push more players forward.
Man Utd repeat 2014 disappointment
Wednesday night was United’s first appearance in the second round of the League Cup since 2014.
Because Louis van Gaal’s team fell 4-0 to third-tier MK Dons that year, it brought up unpleasant memories for United supporters.
Players like James Wilson, Nick Powell, Anderson, Jonny Evans, and David de Gea were in United’s lineup.
Evans declared his retirement earlier this summer, therefore none of the players in that group are currently playing for United.
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