Manchester United supporters were furious after witnessing Ruben Amorim’s behavior during their team’s crushing Carabao Cup penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town.
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Instead, they were stunned by Grimsby, who took a 2-0 lead into the break courtesy of goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren.
In a bid to salvage the match, Amorim introduced key players Bruno Fernandes and Matthijs de Ligt at half-time.
The changes paid off as Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire found the net to level the score at 2-2.
The match at Blundell Park then descended into a dramatic penalty shootout, with 26 spot-kicks taken in total.
Matheus Cunha missed a golden opportunity to seal the win, and after a tense exchange of successful penalties, Mbeumo struck the crossbar with his second attempt—handing Grimsby a 12-11 win and triggering jubilant scenes on the pitch.
The nature of the loss has intensified scrutiny on Amorim, who appeared visibly shaken during the shootout.
Just days earlier, he was seen turning away during Fulham’s corners, and this time, cameras caught him sitting on the bench, unable to watch the penalties unfold.
Fans were quick to criticize the Portuguese manager, accusing him of lacking composure and leadership by “hiding” during a crucial moment, and suggesting his actions set a poor example for the squad.
One fan on X vented: “Fergie had his eyes glued in a champions league final penalty shootout, Amorim hid behind his staff because he couldn’t watch a penalty shootout in the 2nd round of the league cup against Grimbsy.
A second observed: “Amorim literally hiding during that penalty shootout.”
A third wrote: “Ruben Amorim was hiding and covering his face from the cameras while his team was getting embarrassed by Grimsby Town on penalties. I have never seen anything like this .”
A furious fourth commented: “No Manager of Manchester United cowers away in the dugout during a penalty shootout. What vibes does that transmit to the players? It’s a joke. A laughing stock and it’s a crime. Sack Amorim tonight.”
Amorim was dejected as can be in his post-match interview, conceding that the better team won and claiming his players “spoke really loud” and were “completely lost” when they started the match.
“I think the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch,” Amorim told Sky Sports.
“The best players lose because one team can win against any group of players, and I think the team and the players spoke really loud today, so that’s it. We lost, the best team won.
“I think it’s really clear what they spoke, so let’s move on from this day and I think it was clear for everybody what happened today.
“The way we start the game without any intensity, all the idea of the pressure, we were completely lost and that’s why I think they spoke really loud.”
Man United look to finally get a win onboard when they host newly-promoted Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday.