Manchester United suffered fresh humiliation as League Two side Grimsby Town dumped them out of the Carabao Cup in a dramatic 12-11 penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw at Blundell Park.
Goals from Charles Vernam and ex-United youth player Tyrell Warren gave Grimsby a stunning two-goal lead by halftime. United, looking shambolic throughout the first half, were spared further embarrassment when a third goal was controversially ruled out for offside.
Substitute Bryan Mbeumo pulled one back with his first goal for the club before Harry Maguire’s 89th-minute header forced penalties.
The shootout became a marathon, lasting 18 minutes. Matheus Cunha wasted the chance to win it for United, and after 15 successive penalties were converted, Mbeumo smashed his effort onto the crossbar, sparking wild celebrations from the home crowd.
United boss Ruben Amorim, already under pressure after a poor league start, cut a dejected figure in the dugout. His record of 28 points from 29 Premier League matches since replacing Erik ten Hag has left fans questioning his future despite significant investment in new signings such as Benjamin Sesko (£73m) and Mbeumo.
Meanwhile, other Premier League sides avoided upsets:
- Brighton thrashed Oxford United 6-0.
- Everton beat Mansfield Town 2-0.
- Fulham eased past Bristol City 2-0.
For Manchester United, however, this night in Grimsby will go down as one of the darkest chapters in their League Cup history.
