Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim admitted that ‘something has to change’ at the club after their embarrassing EFL Cup defeat to Grimsby Town. The Red Devils lost 12-11 on penalties after drawing 2-2 with the League Two side. Amorim apologized to the fans and acknowledged the team’s poor performance, stating that they were ‘completely lost’ and lacked intensity. He emphasized that simply changing players is not the solution and that deeper issues need to be addressed. The defeat has piled further pressure on Amorim, whose team faces Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.
Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United manager, has publicly acknowledged the urgent need for significant changes at the club following their shocking EFL Cup exit at the hands of Grimsby Town. The defeat, a major upset, has amplified the pressure on Amorim, who admitted that simply overhauling the squad again is not the solution.
Expectations were high for Manchester United to secure a comfortable victory against the League Two side at Blundell Park, especially after a disappointing start to their Premier League campaign, where they only managed one point from their opening two matches. Amorim's decision to start new acquisitions Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, alongside the introduction of Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes as half-time substitutes, was intended to inject dynamism into the team. However, these changes failed to prevent what turned out to be a disastrous evening for the Red Devils.
Despite a late rally to level the score at 2-2 after initially falling behind, Manchester United succumbed to a 12-11 defeat in a penalty shoot-out. The pressure of the moment proved too much for Cunha and Mbeumo, both high-profile signings costing a combined £130 million, as they failed to convert their penalties. This defeat marked a historic low for the club, as it was the first time they had ever been eliminated from the EFL Cup by a fourth-tier team. Furthermore, it was only their third second-round exit from the competition since 1981-82, adding to the embarrassment.
The unexpected loss has intensified the scrutiny on Amorim, with many questioning his leadership and tactical decisions. He is acutely aware of the growing calls for change within the club.
"I am shocked because we are at a moment when we are making a lot of changes," Amorim confessed to ITV Sport following the match. "We try to fight a lot of things but then when we have these moments, we need to show up. If we don’t show up, you can feel that something has to change, and you are not going to change 22 players again." His statement reflects a deep understanding of the challenges facing the team and the limitations of simply replacing personnel.
You’ve been slapped by the fish! #GTFC pic.twitter.com/wv6whQiLf2
— Grimsby Town F.C. (@officialgtfc) August 27, 2025
Amorim's dejection was evident as he chose not to watch the penalty shoot-out, remaining seated in the dugout throughout the ordeal. He emphasized that the manner in which the penalties were decided was secondary to the overall performance of the team.
"It doesn’t matter if we recovered or not. It’s the signs the team made during the game, especially the beginning of the game," Amorim explained. "I know that the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch. The best players lose, because one team can win against any group of players. I think the team and the players spoke really loud today. The way we started the game without any intensity, we were completely lost." His comments highlight a lack of intensity and focus from his players, particularly at the start of the match, which ultimately contributed to their downfall.
Looking ahead, Manchester United face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday. Their recent form in the league has been dismal, having accumulated just six points since the start of April – the fewest of any club that has been ever-present in the competition. This poor run of form has only added to the pressure on Amorim and his team as they desperately seek to turn their season around.
In a candid interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Amorim expressed his remorse and took full responsibility for the team's performance. "I have no more answers. I do not even have anything to say. I just want to apologise to our fans. I’m really, really sorry," he stated, conveying his deep disappointment and regret to the Manchester United supporters.
The defeat against Grimsby Town serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Manchester United and the urgent need for Amorim to implement significant changes to improve the team's performance and restore the faith of the fans. The upcoming match against Burnley will be a crucial test of their resolve and a chance to demonstrate that they can bounce back from this humiliating setback.