Grimsby Town 2 (12)–2 (11) Manchester United
August 28, 2025 | Carabao Cup, Second Round | Blundell Park
First Half: Grimsby Shock United with Two-Goal Lead
Grimsby Town stunned Manchester United early on with a determined performance at their home ground, Blundell Park. Charles Vernam opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, capitalising on a near-post error by United goalkeeper André Onana. Just eight minutes later, former United youth product Tyrell Warren pounced on another mistake from Onana to double Grimsby’s advantage before the break.
Second Half: United Rally with Late Goals
Facing elimination, United regrouped after the interval. Substitutes made an impact, as Bryan Mbeumo—on his first goal for the club—fired home in the 75th minute to spark hope. Then, deep into stoppage time, Harry Maguire headed in the equaliser from a Mason Mount corner, sending the game into penalties.
Penalty Shootout: Marathon Drama Ends in United Misery
The ensuing shootout proved one for the history books. Both sides displayed composure, with each taker confidently converting their spot-kicks through an extraordinary sequence.
Clarke Oduor’s penalty was saved by Onana, and Matheus Cunha was denied by Grimsby goalkeeper Christy Pym—yet both goalkeepers still participated as spot-kick takers. The shootout extended deep into sudden death, reaching 12–11, when Mbeumo’s second attempt struck the crossbar, sealing an unforgettable 12–11 defeat for United and a historic victory for Grimsby.
Significance: A Humiliating Chapter for United
- This marks Manchester United’s first-ever elimination by a fourth-tier club in a cup competition; the last time they lost to non-league opposition was in the 1914 FA Cup..
- United remains winless in three competitive games this season, heightening scrutiny on manager Ruben Amorim..
- Amid mounting criticism, fans and pundits have labelled Amorim’s tactics and demeanor during the match as underwhelming; some social media posts called him a “coward,” demanding stronger leadership.
- From Grimsby’s perspective, this is a momentous triumph. The club, currently in League Two, orchestrated one of the greatest upsets in recent English football memory.
- Key performances—including that of Warren, who scored against his former club and netted in the shootout—underscored the magnitude of their achievement.
Summary Table
| Team | Goalscorers (Time) | Final Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Grimsby Town | Charles Vernam (22′), Tyrell Warren (30′) | 2 (win 12–11 on penalties) |
| Manchester United | Bryan Mbeumo (75′), Harry Maguire (89′) | 2 (eliminated after shootout) |
