Grimsby Town defeat Man United on penalties in the EFL Cup second round
Manchester United have crashed out of the Carabao Cup following a dramatic 12-11 penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby in their second round tie at Blundell Park on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils came from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw in regulation time before Ruben Amorim’s side were dumped out of the competition.
Man United fielded a strong starting line-up, and handed a first start to Benjamin Sesko upfront, but they continued their poor form under Amorim, whose team has not won a match this season.
It is also the first time Man United will lose to a team in the English Football League (EFL) Two, the fourth tier of English football, in 12 meetings.
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Grimsby, unbeaten in their six games so far this season, took the lead on 22 minutes when Vernam hammered a shot beyond Andre Onana at his near post for 1-0.
The Cameroon international, playing his first game of the season, was at fault for the second goal eight minutes later, missing a cross that allowed Tyrel Warren to slot into an empty net for 2-0 at halftime.
Ruben Amorim made a triple substitution after the interval with Matias de Ligt, Bryan Mbeumo, and Bruno Fernandes coming on, and the visitors scored two late goals through Mbeumo’s shot into the bottom corner on 75 minutes, and Maguire’s header on 89 minutes to force a penalty shootout.
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However, Mathias Cunha and Mbeumo missed their kicks to send Grimsby through 12-11 on penalties.
Defeat is a repeat of Man United’s exit at the same stage at the hands of MK Dons 11 years ago. It is also the third time Grimsby have shocked EPL clubs in cup competition, adding the Red Devils to Tottenham and Liverpool on their upset list.
