Manchester United suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exit as they were beaten in a marathon penalty shootout by League Two Grimsby at Blundell Park.
2025/2026 League Cup
2 (12) - 2 (11)
Penalty Shootout
Match Report
It had appeared United had rescued themselves in the nick of time after finding themselves two goals down in a truly awful first-half display, with returning goalkeeper Andre Onana at fault for Grimsby's second.
Substitute Bryan Mbeumo pulled one back before Harry Maguire equalised in the final minute.
But Matheus Cunha failed to secure victory in United's last spot-kick of the regulation five, and Mbeumo's second penalty hit the bar to hand Grimsby a 12-11 shootout success and trigger a pitch invasion from the jubilant home fans.
United manager Ruben Amorim gave the impression of cowering in the dugout as the drama unfolded and one of only two realistic chances of silverware disappeared at the first available opportunity.
He endured the 'sacked in the morning' chants from gleeful home fans sat in the stand behind him during the first half as he watched his side find themselves in an even more embarrassing position than those he experienced last season, during which he described them as 'maybe the worst' in the club's history.
He was not helped by Onana's shocking error. Left out for the first two Premier League games of the season, the Cameroon international had not looked entirely comfortable even before he came to collect a cross swept into a crowded penalty area after 30 minutes.
Inexplicably, Onana dropped it and former United academy player Tyrell Warren turned the loose ball into an empty net.
The goal doubled the advantage given to Grimsby by Charles Vernam, who beat Onana with a low shot after Kieran Green took possession away from Amad Diallo and Manuel Ugarte, allowing Darragh Burns to deliver the far-post cross.
Amorim sent on skipper Bruno Fernandes, new forward Mbeumo and defensive kingpin Matthijs de Ligt at half-time in an attempt to save the game.
Mbeumo pulled one back with a shot into the corner 15 minutes from time. Following more attacking substitutes that meant Mason Mount and Mbeumo were filling the wing-back roles by the end, Maguire converted the last-minute equaliser.
As Cunha strode up to take United's fifth penalty, it seemed they would escape. But Cunha failed – and so did his team.
Onana can't keep out Burns' effort. Mbeumo's hits the bar.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 27, 2025
The Reds exit the Carabao Cup.
Grimsby:
United: pic.twitter.com/BP7uptPA2v
Elsewhere, Everton continued where they left off on Sunday, beating League One Mansfield Town 2-0, thanks to a sublime strike from Carlos Alcaraz, before an 89th-minute goal from second-half substitute Beto wrapped up the Toffees' qualification.
Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton thrashed Oxford United 6-0 away from home, with Stefanos Tzimas netting a second-half brace, while Fulham also progressed to the third round with a 2-0 win over Bristol City.
Data Debrief: Grimsby's historic win against wasteful United
Registering expected goals (xG) of 2.87 to Grimsby's 1.61, United were profligate in front of goal, hitting the target on just nine occasions from their 28 shots.
It was another game to forget for Cunha, who failed to get on the scoresheet again before missing his penalty. The Brazilian registered six shots, but only mustered one on target.
Grimsby recorded their first win over United since 1947-48 on Wednesday, having not met competitively since that season, when the Mariners claimed a 4-3 victory at Old Trafford before holding United to a 1-1 draw at Blundell Park.
Match Events
22' GOAL! Grimsby Town 1-0 Man Utd (Charles Vernam)
30' GOAL! Grimsby Town 2-0 Man Utd (Warren)
76' GOAL! Grimsby Town 2-1 Man Utd (Mbeumo)
89' GOAL! Grimsby Town 2-2 Man Utd (Maguire)
Line-ups
Grimsby Town XI: Christy Pym, Kieran Green, George McEachran, Charles Vernam, Harvey Rodgers, Cameron McJannet, Jayden Sweeney, Tyrell Warren, Darragh Burns, Evan Khouri, Cameron Gardner
Subs: Danny Rose, Justin Amaluzor, Reece Staunton, Jaze Kabia, Clarke Oduor, Géza Dávid Turi, Jude Soonsup-Bell, Sebastian Auton, Henry Brown
Man Utd XI: Maguire, Onana, Dalot, Ugarte, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, Amad Diallo Traore, Mainoo, Tyler Fredricson, Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven
Subs: Heaton, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Mount, Altay Bayındır, De Ligt, Bryan Mbeumo, Zirkzee, Diego León