Man United’s Amorim says ‘something has to change’ as experts call for his sacking after shambolic defeat to Grimsby

Manchester United’s shambolic defeat to League Two club Grimsby Town in the second round of the League Cup evoked strong emotions from manager Ruben Amorim, who suggested he may be done with the job, as experts called for him to be sacked.

Man United lost to Grimsby 11-12 on penalties after the match ended 2-2. In fact, United were 2-0 down by 30 minutes, and it could have been more, but goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire took the match to the penalties.

Amorim hints he could leave Man United

In the shootout, Matheus Cunha missed the opportunity to win the match on the final kick of the regular five penalties, followed by every subsequent player converting their chances before Mbeumo hit the bar as United were knocked out of the tournament.

After defeat to Arsenal and a draw against Fulham in the new English Premier League season, the stunning loss to Grimsby has raised fresh questions over Amorim’s future at the club as he struggles to turnaround things.

The Portuguese manager hinted after the Wednesday match that he may be willing to walk out of the club. “I think this is a little bit the limit. I think something has to change,” Amorim said after defeat to Grimsby. “I think the team and the players spoke really loud today, so that’s it. [Tonight] I think the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch.

“I think the players spoke really loudly about what they want today.”

“I just want to apologise to our fans.”

“Something has to change and you’re not going to change 22 players again.”

Ruben Amorim speaks with @gabrielclarke05 after defeat to Grimsby#MUFC | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/anXoVFHoMP

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 27, 2025

“I think it’s really clear what they spoke, so let’s move on from this day. I think it was clear for everybody what happened today.

“The way we start the game without any intensity, we were completely lost.”

Experts want Amorim out of Man United

Amorim now also faces a call for his sacking by prominent football experts in England. United View’s Owen on X said that it was time for Amorim to leave Manchester United, as he has consistently failed to get the best out of the players.

“Sounds like a man who is going to resign after the Burnley game on Saturday. Amorim is suggesting he can’t get the level of intensity required out of the players to beat even a 4th tier team. So, what’s even the point? I think he walks. He should,” Owen wrote on X.

Sounds like a man who is going to resign after the Burnley game on Saturday.

Amorim is suggesting he can’t get the level of intensity required out of the players to beat even a 4th tier team. So, what’s even the point?

I think he walks. He should.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/9J6rvxuxdA

— Owen 🔰 (@OwenUnitedView) August 27, 2025

The host of the Alice Talks Football YouTube channel, Alice, also shared the same sentiments as she pointed out that Amorim’s system is not working at United.

“What a disgrace from Ruben Amorim & Onana. Knocked out by Grimsby side that could’ve scored 4. Amorim had no clue how to change things. All our best players on the pitch yet no idea how to score, just long shots and hoping for individual quality or set pieces to score.

What a disgrace from Ruben Amorim & Onana.

Knocked out by Grimsby side that could’ve scored 4. Amorim had no clue how to change things. All our best players on the pitch yet no idea how to score, just long shots and hoping for individual quality or set pieces to score.
Our… pic.twitter.com/3K1I0UsqZu

— Alice (@AliceTalksFooty) August 27, 2025

“Our players did not let us down today (bar Onana), it was the manager, his ways do not work.”