EFL Cup
Grimsby Town
Aug 27, 2025 8.00pm
2
2
HT : 0 0
ET
Man Utd

Grimsby 2-2 Man United (12-11 on penalties): Highlights, man of the match, stats as Red Devils suffer true horror show in EFL Cup

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Crisis mode: Disaster for Amorim as Man United exit EFL Cup after marathon shootout
© Imago

Manchester United have been incredibly dumped out of the EFL Cup by League Two outfit Grimsby Town, with the Mariners winning a marathon penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw at Blundell Park.

Grimsby led 2-0 inside the opening 30 minutes on home soil, with Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren on the scoresheet, but Man United struck back in the final 15 minutes, scoring through Bryan Mbeumo and then Harry Maguire to force a penalty shootout in the League Cup.

An incredible 12-yard face-off eventually went the way of Grimsby, with the League Two side triumphing 12-11 after Mbeumo hit the crossbar.

Man United had a chance to win the shootout when Matheus Cunha stepped forward at 4-4, but the summer arrival saw his effort saved, and Grimsby went on to incredibly secure their spot in the third round.

It is the first time that the Red Devils have been knocked out of the EFL Cup by fourth-tier opposition.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

© Imago

Utterly disastrous for Man United.

Grimsby flew out of the traps on home soil, having too much for the Red Devils, who looked lost in the opening 45 minutes, but there was at least some degree of a response in the second period.

Even if Man United had triumphed on penalties, it would still have been a terrible night for the 20-time English champions and indeed for head coach Ruben Amorim, who has serious questions to answer.

New season but same old story; Man United again looked lost in a 3-4-3 formation - there was early promise against Arsenal, but the Red Devils were average at best against Fulham and were then disastrous here.

Cunha should have sent Man United into the third round when presented with the chance from the spot, but Benjamin Sesko missed an even better chance in the closing stages of normal time.

This night was all about Grimsby, who deserve to be in the hat for the next round, but Man United have reached a new low, and Saturday's game against Burnley has now become a gigantic affair.

GRIMSBY VS. MAN UNITED HIGHLIGHTS

Charles Vernam goal vs. Man United (22nd min, Grimsby 1-0 Man United)

Scenes! Grimsby make the breakthrough in the 22nd minute of the match, as Verman smashes the ball past Onana at his near post. Not sure that the Man United goalkeeper should be conceding in that area.

Tyrell Warren goal vs. Man United (30th min, Grimsby 2-0 Man United)

Just incredible. Grimsby score their second of the match, with Warren converting from close range after Onana had come and got nowhere near a cross; Man United are absolutely falling apart here.

Bryan Mbeumo goal vs. Grimsby (75th min, Grimsby 2-1 Man United)

Man United have one back here, as Mbeumo feeds the ball into the bottom corner of the goal. Can the Red Devils score a second and potential third in the closing stages of this match?

Harry Maguire goal vs. Grimsby (89th min, Grimsby 2-2 Man United)

Maguire with the header! The Man United centre-back heads a corner into the back of the net for 2-2, and this game is heading for penalties unless there is some late drama in normal time.

Bryan Mbeumo missed penalty vs. Grimsby

Mbeumo, in the second go round, hits the crossbar with his penalty, and Grimsby have incredibly booked their spot in the third round of the competition courtesy of a 12-11 win in the shootout.

MAN OF THE MATCH - TYRELL WARREN

© Imago

What a story - released by Man United as a youngster, Warren came back to haunt his former club on Tuesday, scoring his side's second of the match before also netting in the shootout.

However, it was his performance down the other end that impressed the most, with the 26-year-old a rock at the back for Grimsby, and this win will be that extra bit special for the defender.

GRIMSBY VS. MAN UNITED MATCH STATS

Possession: Grimsby 30%-70% Man United

Shots: Grimsby 10-28 Man United

Shots on target: Grimsby 4-9 Man United

Corners: Grimsby 6-4 Man United

Fouls: Grimsby 10-8 Man United

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Man United's attention will now switch back to the Premier League, with the Red Devils looking for their first win of the 2025-26 campaign when they host Burnley on Saturday.

Grimsby, meanwhile, will be aiming to continue their unbeaten start to their League Two campaign when they host Bristol Rovers on the same afternoon.

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