• Manchester United eliminated from the League Cup by Grimsby Town after a penalty shootout.
• The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with United failing to capitalize on late goals to win the shootout 12-11.
• Manager Ruben Amorim faced intense scrutiny after the loss, reflecting on the team's poor performance.

Manchester United experienced a humiliating exit from the League Cup, losing to fourth-tier Grimsby Town in a dramatic penalty shootout. After a tumultuous match that ended 2-2 in regulation time, United failed to convert crucial penalties, with Bryan Mbeumo's effort hitting the crossbar, sealing the fate of his team in the shootout at 12-11 on Wednesday evening at Blundell Park, according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

United began the match poorly, trailing 2-0 at halftime due to goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren. Despite a late comeback, with Mbeumo and Harry Maguire leveling the score, the team struggled to maintain rhythm throughout the match. Manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged the team's lack of intensity, stating, "the way we start the game without any intensity, we were completely lost," according to BBC and Channel News Asia.

The penalty shootout revealed further issues; moments after Matheus Cunha missed a decisive penalty attempt, the following kicks from Grimsby were flawlessly executed until Mbeumo's critical attempt ended in disappointment for United fans. This latest defeat adds to the mounting pressure on Amorim, who has endured a challenging tenure since taking charge, having guided the club to a mere 28 points in 29 Premier League games, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

Following the shootout, Amorim expressed regret over the defeat, highlighting the team's need for improvement and reflecting on their current form. "I think something has to change. In this moment, we need to focus on the weekend," he remarked, suggesting a move away from the disappointment towards future matches. However, with fans unhappy and scrutiny on the rise, the stakes for the next match are notably high, as United seeks to recover its form, according to Channel News Asia and BBC.