Chris Sutton’s brutal verdict on Ruben Amorim after Manchester United’s Grimsby Town Football Club defeat: “What an embarrassment for Manchester United. Where does Ruben Amorim go from here? The perception of him now… I don’t think he gets over this.”

Manchester United suffered a seismic shock in the early rounds of the Carabao Cup on August 27, 2025, when League Two minnows Grimsby Town stunned the Red Devils with a 2–2 draw, only to triumph 12-11 on penalties. The result marks one of the most devastating cup upsets in recent memory—and a moment that has cast a long shadow over manager Ruben Amorim and his tenure at Old Trafford.

United, boasting over £200 million in summer attacking signings, traveled to Blundell Park with heavy expectations. Instead, they slumped into a two-goal deficit by halftime—conceding first to Charles Vernam and then to Tyrell Warren, a former United academy product. A calamitous night for goalkeeper André Onana further compounded their woes.

Late in the game, Manchester United clawed their way back. Bryan Mbeumo reduced the deficit in the 75th minute, and Harry Maguire equalized with a stooping header in the 89th. The match dragged into a dramatic penalty shootout, which stretched to a staggering 26 spot kicks.

In the end, heartbreak struck when Mbeumo crashed his second attempt against the woodwork. Grimsby’s supporters erupted ecstatically, storming the pitch in one of the greatest nights in the club’s history. For Manchester United, however, the exit reinforced just how dire the start to the season has been.

The fallout was immediate. Ruben Amorim, who appeared distant during the penalty drama, now faces enormous scrutiny amid a campaign that has failed to deliver a single victory despite massive transfer outlay. For a manager brought in to rebuild, the timing of this humiliation could not be worse.

Pundit Chris Sutton pulled no punches in his assessment. Speaking on television, he accused Amorim of making a grave error before the game even began—the decision to make eight changes to his starting XI. According to Sutton, the manager should have fielded his strongest side to establish control early on before turning to substitutions later. “There is not a prayer I would have made eight changes… He will struggle to come back from this. The pressure this season is well and truly on now. If I’m him, I’m officially worried,” Sutton declared.

United’s performance only highlighted what critics have been saying for weeks: the lack of cohesion, structure, and fight. Mistakes from Onana were glaring, but they were merely symptoms of deeper issues—sluggish defending, no discernible attacking rhythm, and an alarming absence of intensity. Even Amorim himself admitted afterwards that the team looked “completely lost.”

The manager’s response after the game was a mix of apology and resignation. He admitted the performance was unacceptable, offered an apology to United’s traveling fans, and praised Grimsby as deserving winners. Yet his decision to avoid the touchline during the shootout, watching from a distance, raised eyebrows. Many fans saw it as a passive gesture, unbecoming of a Manchester United manager.

The backlash has been fierce. On social media, supporters branded Amorim a coward and began questioning his suitability for the role. Speculation around his job security has escalated, especially as United’s struggles continue against a backdrop of significant investment.

It is important to place this in a wider context. Manchester United endured a disastrous 2024–25 season, finishing 15th in the Premier League—their lowest league position since 1990. They ended the campaign with no trophies and no European football, compounding a sense of drift at the club. That season also saw them eliminated from the FA Cup in the quarterfinals and lose the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

Now, with the new season barely underway, United’s early exit from the Carabao Cup underlines a harsh reality: the club’s downward spiral shows no sign of reversing. The inability to convert massive transfer spending into results, alongside tactical missteps and mental fragility, has left fans wondering if Amorim is truly the man to lead them forward.

Chris Sutton’s words echo the fears of many: “What an embarrassment for Manchester United. Where does Ruben Amorim go from here? The perception of him now… I don’t think he gets over this.”

These words now hang over Old Trafford like a storm cloud, with Amorim’s future already in question and the pressure mounting with every passing game.