Grimsby Town, a team from England’s fourth division, shocked the world by beating Premier League giants Manchester United in the Carabao Cup second round. The match happened on August 27, 2025, at Blundell Park in Cleethorpes. After a 2-2 draw in normal time, Grimsby won an epic penalty shootout 12-11. This is one of the biggest upsets in cup history, as a lower-league side knocked out a top club like United so early.
How the Match Unfolded
Grimsby started strong and took the lead in the 22nd minute. Charles Vernam scored the first goal, beating United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana at the near post. Soon after, Tyrell Warren added a second goal before halftime, thanks to another mistake by Onana. Grimsby led 2-0 at the break, and fans could not believe it.
Manchester United fought back in the second half. Manager Ruben Amorim made changes, bringing on Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matthijs de Ligt. Mbeumo scored in the 76th minute to make it 2-1. Then, Harry Maguire headed in a late equalizer from a corner to force penalties.
The shootout was crazy—it went to sudden death after both teams scored many times. In the end, Mbeumo missed the key penalty for United, and Grimsby won 12-11. Grimsby fans rushed onto the pitch to celebrate this historic win—their first against United in 78 years.
Team Lineups
Here are the starting lineups for both teams:
| Team | Starting XI |
|---|---|
| Grimsby Town | Christy Pym (GK), Sweeney, McJannet, Warren, Rodgers, McEachran, Green, Khouri, Charles Vernam, Darragh Burns, Gardner |
| Manchester United | Andre Onana (GK), Fredricson, Maguire, Heaven, Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Dorgu, Amad Diallo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko |
United’s substitutes included Fernandes, Mbeumo, and de Ligt, who came on at halftime and changed the game.
Key Players and Moments
- Charles Vernam (Grimsby): Scored the opening goal and was a star for the home team.
- Darragh Burns (Grimsby): Helped in attack and scored in the shootout.
- Christy Pym (Grimsby GK): Made big saves to keep United out.
- Andre Onana (United GK): Had a bad night with errors leading to both goals.
- Bryan Mbeumo (United): Scored to start the comeback but missed the final penalty.
- Other notable moments: United had chances, like a rabona attempt by Fernandes that was saved, but Grimsby defended well.
Reactions and What It Means
Ruben Amorim, United’s manager, looked sad after the game. He said, “I’m really sorry for the fans. Something has to change, but we can’t buy 22 new players again.” This loss adds more pressure on him, as United are winless in their first three games this season. Fans and experts are questioning his tactics and the team’s spirit.
Grimsby boss David Artell was thrilled. He called it “an accumulation of hard work” and praised his players for wanting to improve every day. This win puts Grimsby into the third round, where they could face bigger teams again.
United, six-time winners of the cup, are out early. It’s their first-ever cup exit to a fourth-tier team. The draw for the next round happens soon, but United will focus on the Premier League now.
This match shows why cup games are exciting—anything can happen! Grimsby Town made history, and Manchester United have a lot to fix.