Grimsby Town produced a shock for the ages as they dumped Manchester United out of the EFL Cup after an epic penalty shoot-out at Blundell Park.
After a winless start to their Premier League season, United’s misery was compounded after fighting back from two goals down against their League Two hosts only to fall to a 12-11 defeat on penalties.
Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren gave Grimsby a deserved half-time lead before a first United goal from substitute Bryan Mbeumo and a Harry Maguire header late on got Ruben Amorim’s side back into the game.
But their blushes were not to be spared as Mbeumo crashed the decisive spot-kick against the crossbar to give the Mariners one of the most memorable nights in their recent history.
League Two high-flyers start brightly
Given United’s somewhat underwhelming start to their Premier League campaign, it was perhaps unsurprising that Amorim named a strong starting line-up for their trip to the Lincolnshire coast. Among the starters was latest recruit Benjamin Sesko, making his first start for his new club.
But it was the hosts, spurred on by a raucous home crowd, who began the game the stronger of the teams. The League Two high-flyers were lively from the off, pressing with purpose and pouncing on second balls, seemingly unperturbed by the on-paper calibre of their top-flight opponents.
So it was hardly a shock when the game’s first sight at goal fell the way of Grimsby; the energetic Cameron Gardner heading into the hands of Andre Onana, although replays showed the teenage forward had ventured into an offside position.
For United, it proved to be a premonition. Minutes later, Vernam fired Grimsby in front from Darragh Burns’ deep cross to spark pandemonium inside Blundell Park.
The hosts were good value for their lead, with Gardner again in the thick of it shortly before the half-hour mark. The 19-year-old, recently called up to Scotland’s U21 squad, bundled the ball home but he was adjudged to have used his arm amid a flurry of action in the six-yard box.
It mattered little. Just seconds later, Warren doubled Grimsby’s lead after Onana got caught in no man’s land from a cross, allowing the former United academy player to steal in and put the ball into the back of the net.
Sesko then had the Red Devils’ best chance of a dismal first half from the visitors, but the Slovenian’s effort could only find the palms of Grimsby keeper Christy Pym.
United mount a comeback
Amorim introduced Matthijs de Ligt, Bruno Fernandes and Mbeumo after the break as United look to avoid the embarrassment of a major cup upset.
But as the rain began to fall, the storm clouds only seemed to be gathering above Amorim and his side. Burns had a glorious chance to further extend Grimsby’s lead – and likely put the game to bed – but his bobbly goal-bound effort was brilliantly blocked.
With the heavens well a truly open at Blundell Park, Ayden Heaven went close to opening his United account from a set-piece, but the 18-year-old could not get his header on target.
Soon after, Fernandes tested Pym from distance but the Grimsby shot stopper was equal to it.
At the other end, Gardner again had the ball in the net for Grimsby, however, this time it was the offside flag that thwarted the tenacious young forward.
Then, with just over 15 minutes remaining, United gave themselves a lifeline when Mbeumo picked the ball up mid-way inside the Grimsby half. The Cameroon international hurtled towards the hosts’ backline, drawing out defenders before bending in a fine finish from just inside the box.
It was the first goal of the season from a United player and it proved to be the inspiration the Red Devils required.
With just a minute of the 90 left to play, Maguire, who came to his side’s rescue several times late on last term, nodded home a corner to complete the comeback and send the tie to penalties.
The drama extended to the spot-kicks, with the shootout going deep into sudden death.
In the end, after 18-minutes and 26 penalties, it was Grimsby who progressed 12-11, sparking jubilant scenes and heaping further misery on an increasingly miserable period for Manchester United.
