Bruno Fernandes could only hold his head in despair at the poor performance of his teammates against Grimsby Town, a team playing in the fourth division.

Manchester United once again disappointed their fans by unexpectedly being knocked out of the Carabao Cup after losing to Grimsby Town, a League Two side. The second-round match was intense, but unacceptable mistakes combined with a lackluster spirit led the Red Devils into one of the biggest shocks in recent history.

In the first half, Ruben Amorim's squad was hit hard when Charles Vernam scored to put Grimsby ahead. Minutes later, goalkeeper Andre Onana, given the starting spot amid an uncertain future, made a serious error that allowed Tyrell Warren to easily double the lead. On the bench, captain Bruno Fernandes could not hide his disappointment, bowing his head and clutching it after witnessing the goal. That image quickly spread, becoming a symbol of Man Utd’s helplessness.

In the second half, the Red Devils rallied and equalized thanks to Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire. The match had to be decided by a penalty shootout. However, tragedy struck when Mbeumo missed his shot, causing United to lose 11-12 and be eliminated.

This defeat deepens the crisis under Ruben Amorim’s management. Since succeeding Erik ten Hag last November, the Portuguese coach has earned only 28 points from 29 Premier League matches, a worrying statistic. Despite spending £200 million in the summer to sign expensive new players like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo, United’s start to the 2025/26 season has been disappointing, securing just 1 point from 2 games.

Last season, the Red Devils finished 15th, the worst Premier League position in the club’s history. Consequently, coach Amorim faces immense pressure, especially as even legend Wayne Rooney has publicly criticized him on his podcast. The Wayne Rooney Show: “There are no more excuses. Amorim must get United back on track immediately. One point from two games is alarming. Even worse, we are seeing the same problems from last season repeating.”

Rooney acknowledged he values United’s summer transfer activity but still doubts Amorim’s coaching ability: “It’s hard to say Amorim is the long-term choice. Even he probably can’t be certain after what we’ve seen.”

Being knocked out early from the Carabao Cup not only costs Man Utd a chance at a trophy but also raises serious questions about the team’s resilience and hunger for victory. Given the current situation, the upcoming home match against Burnley at Old Trafford this weekend could be a pivotal game that determines Amorim’s fate early in the season.