Ruben Amorim has issued an apology to Manchester United supporters following their shocking Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two outfit Grimsby Town on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils were dumped out in the second round after a dramatic penalty shootout ended 12-11 in favour of the fourth-division side. The game itself had finished 2-2 in regulation time.
United endured a nightmare start, conceding twice within the opening half-hour.
Bryan Mbeumo pulled one back before Harry Maguire grabbed a late equaliser to force penalties.
In the shootout, summer signing Matheus Cunha missed the decisive kick that would have sealed the win in the initial five rounds.
Every other player converted their attempts until Mbeumo struck the crossbar, sealing United’s elimination.
The result comes on the back of a stuttering start to the Premier League campaign, where Amorim’s men have already fallen to Arsenal and drawn with Fulham. Pressure is now mounting on the Portuguese manager’s position.
Speaking after the upset, Amorim admitted the team’s performance was unacceptable and hinted at deeper problems within the squad.
“I think this is a little bit the limit. I think something has to change,” Amorim said.
“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.
“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.
“The way we start the game without any intensity, we were completely lost.”