Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim declared \"something has to change\" after his team\'s stunning Carabao Cup defeat to fourth-tier Grimsby Town, losing 12-11 on penalties following a 2-2 draw. The Portuguese coach said his players \"clearly showed what they want\" with their performance.
Grimsby scored twice in eight first-half minutes through Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren before United leveled through Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire. The League Two side advanced after Matheus Cunha\'s penalty was saved and Mbeumo hit the post in the shootout.
\"I think the players spoke really loudly about what they want today,\" Amorim told ITV Sport. \"Something has to change and you\'re not going to change 22 players again.\"
The defeat represents a continuation of United\'s struggles after finishing 15th in the Premier League last season. Amorim described Grimsby as \"the only team on the pitch\" during his post-match interviews.
Amorim contemplated leaving Old Trafford in February due to frustration with performances and the working environment. He received assurances from chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox before deciding to stay.
Despite summer investment in new attackers, Amorim offered a damning assessment of his team\'s mentality against Grimsby. He repeatedly emphasized that his players had \"spoken really loud\" through their lacklustre performance.
\"We started the game without any intensity, the idea of the pressure. We were completely lost, it is hard to explain,\" Amorim said on Sky Sports.
United have collected just one point from their opening two Premier League matches this season. The team returns to league action Saturday when they host Burnley at Old Trafford.
Amorim joined United from Sporting CP in November 2024 on a contract running through summer 2027 with an optional additional year.