Grimsby Town defeated Manchester United 12-11 on penalties in the second round of the Carabao Cup at Blundell Park on Wednesday after a 2-2 draw in normal time.
A game littered with errors and a lack of cohesion from United was only compounded by a heroic effort from the hosts, leaving manager Ruben Amorim pondering his future with the club.
Questions are being asked of the former Sporting manager as well as the attitude and character of the players representing the historic, once-great footballing institution.
Pressure mounting
Amorim exhibited worrying signs in his post-game demeanor, even hinting that some players may have downed tools, suggesting his time at the club could be nearing its end.
“It doesn’t matter if we recover [from 2-0 down] or not,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s the signs the team made during the game. The beginning of the game.
“I know that the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch. The best players lose, because one team can win against any group of players.
“I think the team and the players spoke really loud. That’s it. We lost. The best team won.
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‘Hard to explain’
“It’s really clear what they spoke. Let’s move on from this day. I think it was really clear for everybody what happened.
“It’s not just the space, but the way we started the game without any intensity. All the ideas of the pressure, we were completely lost. It’s hard to explain.
“That’s what they spoke really loud.”
The woes of last season
Amorim was asked if the struggles of last season persist.
“That is the problem,” he said. “When you lose but you see something new, it’s different. When you see something different like this, it’s hard to talk about that.
“I just want to say I’m really sorry to the fans. The support they give me, the support that they always [give], with all the defeats, with the team, I have nothing to say apart from sorry.
“I think they gave the response on the pitch. Now, we have a game at the weekend and then two weeks off. We will solve things out.”
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Goalkeeping fragility
Goalkeeper Andre Onana struggled on the night, playing a critical role in both Town goals.
Amorim was defensive of his goalkeeper, however, stating that the focus should be on the team and environment within the club.
“With all due respect, when you play against a fourth division team, it’s not the goalkeeper,” he said.
“It’s everything. It’s the environment, it’s the way we face the competition. We know that in the moment, people will pay attention to everything, it’s massive – every detail.
“We showed that performance. My players spoke for me, really loud.”
Despite their dire state of affairs, United host Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday, August 30, and will aim to right the wrongs of a season that could not have started in a worse fashion for Amorim and his side.
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SportJustSport writers