Manchester United Crash out of Carabao Cup as Grimsby Seal Historic Upset in Penalties

Grimsby stun Manchester United in Carabao Cup shootout as big guns await third round

The Carabao Cup has delivered its first giant-killing of the season, and it came at Manchester United’s expense. League Two minnows Grimsby Town pulled off a stunning penalty shootout victory at Blundell Park, knocking the Red Devils out in the second round and sending shockwaves through English football.

A night to forget for United

For new manager Ruben Amorim, the pressure is mounting. Still winless this season, his United side fell 2-0 behind on the night before scrambling their way back into contention. But after a tense shootout that saw both squads go through their full lineups, Bryan Mbeumo’s miss off the crossbar sealed United’s fate.

As Grimsby’s fans poured onto the pitch in wild celebration, United’s players trudged off knowing they had added another painful chapter to a turbulent start under Amorim.

Grimsby’s fairy tale moment

For the Mariners, it was a night that will live long in local memory. Supporters hailed it online as “the biggest win in modern club history,” while videos of jubilant fans spilling onto the pitch quickly spread across social media.

In a competition famous for upsets, this will sit alongside Bradford’s 2013 heroics and Lincoln’s giant-killing run of 2017. For a club rooted in a small coastal town, it was a reminder of why the Carabao Cup still holds magic.

What comes next in the Carabao Cup

While Manchester United are out, the third round welcomes England’s biggest names. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and holders Newcastle United all enter the draw, alongside Grimsby and the rest of the second-round survivors.

Because of fixture clashes with European football, clubs competing in the Champions League and Europa League cannot meet each other just yet opening the door for some mouthwatering Premier League vs lower-league ties.

Why this matters

For United, this wasn’t just a cup exit. It’s a symbolic blow for a club desperate to regain consistency and silverware after years of frustration. For Grimsby, it’s a story to tell for decades: the night they humbled one of England’s most famous clubs and put their name alongside the elite.

The third-round draw now promises fresh drama. But whatever happens, August 27, 2025, will be remembered in Grimsby as the night football’s impossible dream came true.

Source:The Independent 

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