Historic night for Grimsby Town after beating Manchester United in EFL Cup
The match was settled by a penalty shootout
Last updated 27th Aug 2025
Grimsby Town have secured one their most famous wins in their history after defeating Manchester United in the second round of the EFL Cup.
The Mariners had taken a 2-0 lead at Blundell Park, before United managed to fightback to draw 2-2 after 90 minutes.
The League Two side kept their composure though, winning an epic penalty shootout 12-11.
It also means Manchester United suffer one of their most humiliating defeat.
This night will live long in the memory, and leave lasting scars on rebuilding United.
The first competitive match between these sides since 1948 was certainly worth the wait, with Grimsby starting with the togetherness, courage and fearlessness that their manager David Artell called for.
The intensity on the pitch matched that in the stands and made United uncomfortable from the outset.
Onana had to be alert to tip over Vernam's dangerous inswinging corner and Grimsby continued strongly against the incoherent visitors, sparking bedlam in the 22nd minute.
Grimsby capitalised on a midfield mix-up as the ball was fed to Darragh Burns on the right and his fine cross to the far post was met by an equally good touch by Vernam, who lasered the ball past Onana low at his near post.
"Who are ya?" echoed around Blundell Park, where Amorim was goaded with chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning".
United wilted rather than rallied as Cameron Gardner saw a goal ruled out for handball, with Grimsby adding another on the half-hour mark.
Vernam played a one-two from a short corner and swung over a cross towards a sea of bodies on the edge of the six-yard box, where Onana missed the ball and watched Warren tap into an empty net.
A storm was brewing in Lincolnshire and lightning flashed across the sky in Cleethorpes, where full debutant Benjamin Sesko was denied smartly by Christy Pym.
Bruno Fernandes, Matthis de Ligt and Mbeumo were introduced at the break, but United continued slowly and Grimsby would have had a third had Ayden Heaven not thrown himself in front of a Burns strike.
The rain was now thundering down and Amad Diallo tried a whipped effort, before Pym got down to deny Fernandes from distance.
United were leaving gaps as they desperately sought a goal and Gardner beat Onana, only for it to be ruled offside.
It was a let-off that United capitalised on in the 75th minute.
Kobbie Mainoo, subject of ongoing transfer speculation, played the ball on to Mbeumo, who drove forwards and sent a low curling effort home from the edge of the box.
United threw everything at Grimsby but the home side held firm until the 89th minute, when Maguire headed home a corner at the far post.
The visitors maintained their relentless pressure and Sesko stabbed over at the end of stoppage time, meaning the match went to penalties.
Oduor was denied by Onana but Cunha saw his spot-kick saved by Pym, with Mbeumo hitting the final spot-kick against the bar.
Grimsby will now play away at Sheffield Wednesday in the third round.