Man Utd fans are still baffled by decision made during penalty shoot-out defeat to Grimsby

Man Utd fans are still baffled by decision made during penalty shoot-out defeat to GrimsbyMan Utd fans are still baffled by decision made during penalty shoot-out defeat to Grimsby

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Updated 07:57 28 Aug 2025 GMT+1

Published 07:51 28 Aug 2025 GMT+1

Man Utd fans are still baffled by decision made during penalty shoot-out defeat to Grimsby

United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by the League Two side.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

One of the big talking points from Manchester United’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Grimsby has left more questions than answers after Ruben Amorim’s side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup.

It will go down as one of the most humiliating nights in United’s recent history.

After mounting a comeback from 2-0 down to force penalties, the Premier League side were beaten 12-11 in the shoot-out as their League Two opponents progressed to the third round in style.

Bryan Mbuemo, who scored in normal time after coming off the bench, missed the decisive penalty for United.

But the decision to have another summer signing, Benjamin Sesko, take the final spot-kick by an outfield player was an even bigger discussion point, both during and after the game at Blundell Park.

United lost on penalties against League Two side Grimsby. Image credit: GettyUnited lost on penalties against League Two side Grimsby. Image credit: Getty

United lost on penalties against League Two side Grimsby. Image credit: Getty

Sesko was the 10th player to step up, and although he converted his first goal for United, many questioned why it took so long for the Slovenian to get his chance.

One fan commented: “Why was the new £75m striker the tenth penalty taker? How peculiar,” while another wrote: “Our brand new striker took the last penalty for an outfield player.”

A third said: “So many things wrong with that penalty shootout from a United perspective. New signings Mbuemo and Cunha missing, other new signing Sesko only taking the 10th penalty, Amorim not watching, Onana not saving. Weird vibes all-round. Pressure all on Saturday’s Burnley game.”

A fourth wrote: “Why was Sesko the last outfield player to take a penalty?” and a fifth added: “Genuinely cannot believe Sesko went 10th in the shootout that’s gotta be unheard of for a striker?”

Coming into the game on Wednesday night, Amorim explained why he has to be “careful” with Sesko, who made his first competitive start for United against Grimsby.

It was evening to forget for United and their fans. Image credit: GettyIt was evening to forget for United and their fans. Image credit: Getty

It was evening to forget for United and their fans. Image credit: Getty

He is also convinced that the 22-year-old will be United’s number nine for “many years” to come.

“I have to be careful,” he began. “Sesko is going to be our striker for many, many years, so we need to put that in his head and let him settle down, to stay calm and enjoy his day because he’s really like you said, obsessed.”

“I’m really happy – not just with him but with Cunha, Diego, and Mbeumo – we know that we have the players and we know that in our future we are going to have that base and that is really important for us,” he added.

Ruben Amorim gives damning interview after Grimsby loss

In his post-match interview with ITV Sport, a frustrated Amorim admitted “something has to change” after they suffered at the hands of Grimsby.

“It’s not about the result,” he said. “I was not thinking about the penalties. I think the players spoke really loudly about what they want today. I just want to apologise to our fans.

“Everything (was missing). We have to be proud to go to the pitch. We played quite well in the Premier League, and then we come to a fourth division team and play like that.”

“I am shocked,” he added. “We are in a moment when we made a lot of changes, we try to fight a lot of things, but in these moments we have to show up.

“When you don’t show up, you feel that something has to change, but we’re not going to change 22 players.”