Grimsby Town boss David Artell has dismissed Manchester United’s demand for a Carabao Cup replay following controversy over an ineligible player.
The League Two outfit stunned United with a dramatic penalty shootout victory in the second round, but the result came under scrutiny after revelations about player eligibility.
Addressing the situation, Artell stood firm, stressing that the historic win cannot be undermined.
“The club has made a statement and I refer them to the statement,” said Artell. “From my point of view as head coach, no one can take away that performance. Nobody can.
“We were the better team for 70 minutes or for 75 minutes. We should have been 3-0 regardless of everything else that has gone off since, and I am extremely proud of the performance of the players, all of the players. I thought we deserved to win the game.
“What happens surrounding that isn’t in my domain (to say) but, like I say, nobody can take away the performance of the players and the manner of the victory, certainly not in my eyes anyway.
“What happened was unfortunate, we owned up, made a statement, let everyone know and we move on.”
