If you thought things could not get any worse after last seasons 15th place it unfortunately would for the Red Devils as Manchester United were dumped out of the English League Cup in a stunning upset by fourth-tier side Grimsby Town.
After a very promising display against Arsenal and a brilliant summer transfer window with the signings of Sesko, Cunha and, things were looking good for Manchester United.
A point against Fulham away is also not something to frown upon but it was this trip to Blundell Park that would completely change the complexion of their season.
The hosts would take the lead by 2 goals to nil by half time and had a goal controversially disallowed due to offside in the second half. Unfortunately the visitors would perform a comeback thanks to Mbeumo and Maguire that would shatter the dreams of the home crowd.
After 90 mins due to this being a Carabao Cup fixture, the match went to penalties and it would last so long that penalties were taken twice by some players.
Matheus Cunha had the opportunity to seal it with the penalties being 4-4 but his strike was very soft and his penalty was saved by Pym.
Burns would make it 12-11 on penalties with Bryan Mbeumo stepping up, he would strike the crossbar and it would be the Mariners who advanced to the next round.
What is even more painful is that Manchester United’s weak position in the table last season caused them to play this fixture so early and their competitors (Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal etc.) have not even stepped foot into this competition yet.
As you can imagine this lead to a flood of memes by rival fans on social media –
Man United caused a pitch invasion for the other team in AUGUST
— 🥷🏿 (@Bk8iP3) August 27, 2025
pic.twitter.com/XJ5f0pfP7R
With the season just beginning and in some leagues only one matchday being played, it is almost unthinkable that a pitch invasion would occur in August. Usually pitch invasions take place when a team wins the league or a surprise knockout in a cup competition and it happens in the latter stages of the season not in August.
Grimsby letting it go to pens just so they could beat United again pic.twitter.com/dcdYVgNxrh
— James. (@afcjxmes) August 27, 2025
Grimsby would lead 2-0 by half time and then ‘let’ Manchester United score two goals in the 75th and 89th minute only to beat them on penalties.
delivery for United pic.twitter.com/m90xDbdV2t
— Domino's Pizza UK (@Dominos_UK) August 27, 2025
A slight jab at Manchester United with a photo of Grimsby being delivered to them.
With the distraction of one cup out of the way, Man United can now fully focus on finishing 12th.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 27, 2025
I've seen enough. pic.twitter.com/rszZBRrISM
— FPL Raptor (Ross) (@FPL__Raptor) August 27, 2025
FPL users are joking to double on Burnley assets and even captaining Esteve for their fixture against Manchester United at Old Trafford. What would be a fixture to target United assets against a newly promoted Burnley has now become the opposite.
The life of being a Manchester United fan. pic.twitter.com/RdqsyE82pm
— Aidan Walsh 🔰 (@AidanWalshMUFC) August 27, 2025
Manchester United’s situation is somehow getting even worse season after season. Last year a 15th place in the Premier League and a loss to ‘Bottle Jobs’ Tottenham in the Europa league final alongside several humiliations in the Premier League it just does not stop for the Red Devils.
Legends say Onana was diving for the previous penalty 😭 pic.twitter.com/Anrds7jKwa
— FPL GOAT (@FPLGOAT7) August 28, 2025
This picture is in fact not edited and is of Reece Staunton’s penalty with Onana having already having dived way before the penalty is taken. The previous penalty was in fact saved by Onana who did dive right that time, the only penalty that he would save out of 12.
The bomb squad group chat prob popping off lol
— C (@On1yCee) August 27, 2025
The ‘bomb squad’ refers to players that are deemed to be not part of the teams plans and are deemed for sale, which in this case would be Sancho, Garnacho, Antony and Malacia. Indicating that they would be laughing their ass off after this loss on the group chat.
Ruben Amorim taking pointers from a truly legendary sports coach @iresimpsonsfans @EflSimpsons pic.twitter.com/oc23SYEvdC
— Mark G (@TheHumanOnion) August 27, 2025
During the match when United were trailing 2-0, Ruben Amorim was seen making tactical tweaks using magnets and referencing a meme from the Simpsons where instead of magnets he plays on an American football foosball table to figure out what tactics to implement.
Fergy in the board meeting with amorim pic.twitter.com/wKDIURP0Oc
— Akh (@RilwanLucas) August 27, 2025
Ruben Amorim could be yet another coaching victim under the post Ferguson era. Man United have now been through 8 different managers since Sir Alex Ferguson and with Ruben’s statements after the match he could become the ninth.
Hello @ManUtd,
— FPL Raptor (Ross) (@FPL__Raptor) August 27, 2025
Please accept this as my application for the managerial role.
I have 4 years experience managing players that underperform, and have taken my team to a top 0.5% finish every season. Other info:
• I am bald
• Would play 4-3-3
• Ready now
Regards,
Ross
Manchester United fans on social media are giving their resume for the new Manchester United manager. Highlighting their FPL ranks and being ‘Bald’ a reference to Bald coaches such as Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola having that winning flair.
I wish I could tell 10 year old me what happens to Man United
— Paddy (@PaddyArsenal) August 27, 2025
Arsenal fans wishing they could tell their past selves that Manchester United would turn into a horror show when they were absolutely ruthless under Sir Alex and were Arsenal’s biggest rival to trophies, giving them the iconic 8-2 loss in 2011. Not to mention the Van Persie guard of honour incident.
