Manchester United were sent out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town in a rain-soaked classic at Blundell Park.
The Red Devils lost 12–11 on penalties after a dramatic 2–2 draw on Wednesday night.
The Mariners, roared on by a sold-out crowd, looked destined for a famous upset when goals from Charles Vernam and former United academy player Tyrell Warren gave them a two-goal cushion at half-time.
United rallied late through Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire, but after a marathon shootout, it was Mbeumo who crashed his second penalty against the bar to hand Grimsby a night of glory.
Grimsby boss, Dave Artell hailed the upset as “one of the proudest nights in this club’s history.”
For United, it was a chastening night. Manager Ruben Amorim, who made sweeping changes to his line-up, admitted his side “paid the price” for a poor first half.
United looked rattled from the off, as Darragh Burns and Cameron Gardner tormented their defence.
The opener came when Burns’ curling cross found Vernam free at the far post, his finish sliding under Andre Onana.
Minutes later, Onana flapped at another Vernam delivery, and Warren gleefully doubled Grimsby’s lead.
Amorim’s triple substitution at half-time—introducing Bruno Fernandes, Matthijs de Ligt and Mbeumo—shifted momentum.
Mbeumo finally struck in the 75th minute with a sharp finish before Maguire’s header levelled the tie.
Onana seemed to have given United a lifeline when he saved Clarke Oduor’s penalty in the shootout, but Pym denied Cunha soon after.
With both sides scoring in sudden death, the cycle returned to the original takers.
It was Mbeumo, scorer in regulation time, who hit the crossbar, sparking pandemonium in the home stands.
As the Mariners’ supporters spilled into the streets singing, United were left to reflect on another humbling cup exit.
Grimsby march into the third round; for Amorim’s United, questions will only grow louder.
