Manchester United endured a humiliating night in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, exiting at the hands of League Two minnows Grimsby Town.
But it wasn’t just the defeat that got fans talking—it was Ruben Amorim’s reaction during the penalty shootout.
The manager, seemingly unable to face the tension, spent the entire ordeal staring at the floor, a decision that has sparked widespread criticism online.
A Rocky Start in the North-East
Traveling north to Grimsby, few expected United to struggle against a team from two divisions below.
With pressure mounting after a winless start to the Premier League season, Amorim opted for a strong squad, featuring new signings Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.
However, United never got their rhythm. Defensive lapses and uncharacteristic mistakes from goalkeeper Andre Onana left the Red Devils 2-0 down early on—a disastrous start on his first return to the starting lineup.
Grimsby Holds Firm Until United Fight Back
Grimsby, reveling in the shock lead and pouring rain at Blundell Park, held the advantage until the 75th minute when Bryan Mbuemo pulled one back.
From that moment, United mounted a furious comeback, flooding the pitch with attackers including Joshua Zirkzee, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Sesko, Cunha, and Mbuemo.
Their persistence paid off as Harry Maguire headed home a dramatic equaliser, forcing a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Penalty Drama Ends in Historic Upset
Even under soggy conditions, both teams impressed from the spot.
Only Matheus Cunha and Clarke Odour missed for United before Mbuemo stepped up for Grimsby’s decisive second attempt.
His shot smashed off the crossbar, sealing a historic 12-11 penalty victory for the League Two side—one of the biggest shocks in recent English football history.
Amorim’s Dugout Antics Spark Outrage
Amorim’s handling of the shootout instantly drew fire.
Fans and pundits alike couldn’t understand why he refused to watch.
Social media lit up with criticism:
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“Ruben Amorim sitting in the dugout & not watching his players taking penalties hardly screams later. Even if Man Utd had won, that tells me he’s not the right man for a club of that size. Weak,” tweeted Daily Mail’s Craig Hope.
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A supporter wrote, “I’m sorry but the manager not watching the penalties is an absolutely f*****g awful look.”
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Another added, “The optics of Amorim crouching behind his staff during the shootout, on yet another disastrous night for the club, were not great.”
Criticism ranged from bemused to scathing, with some questioning the logic of his decision in a third-tier cup against a League Two side.
Only the FA Cup and Premier League Left
With this exit, United’s silverware hopes now rest solely on the FA Cup and Premier League after missing out on European football last season.
Amorim reflected on the defeat in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, insisting the better team won.
“It doesn’t matter if you recover or not. What matters are the signs the team gave during the game,” he said.
“I know the best team won. The best players can lose, because one proper team can win against any group of players.
And today, the team spoke really loud. That’s it. Let’s move on from this day. It was really clear for everybody what happened today.”
Next Up: Burnley at Old Trafford
After a night of humiliation and social media backlash, United look to regroup as they return to Premier League action on Saturday, hosting Burnley at Old Trafford.
The team will be hoping to bounce back, but the memory of this historic collapse—and Amorim’s controversial behavior—will linger.
