Grimsby Town vs Manchester United F.C. Lineups: Full Report & Analysis of the 2025 Carabao Cup Upset
On 27 August 2025, one of the most dramatic “giant-killing” acts in recent EFL Cup history unfolded at Blundell Park. The final result: Grimsby Town 2-2 Manchester United (Grimsby winning 12-11 on penalties).
This was a classic David vs. Goliath Carabao Cup Second Round tie. It pitted a promotion-hopeful League Two side against a Premier League giant. But the story of the match—and the eventual upset—began an hour before kick-off, with the release of the official team sheets.
This article provides the complete, official lineups for both Grimsby Town and Manchester United, a full match report on how the game was lost and won, and a deep-dive analysis of the team selections that led to the historic result.
Grimsby vs Man Utd: Official Lineups (27 August 2025)
The official team sheets confirmed the contrasting strategies from both managers. Grimsby boss David Artell went for his strongest side, while United’s Ruben Amorim made sweeping changes.
Grimsby Town Starting XI & Substitutes
- Starting XI (4-1-4-1): C. Pym (GK); H. Rodgers, T. Warren, C. McJannet, J. Sweeney; G. McEachran; C. Vernam, K. Green (c), E. Khouri, D. Burns; C. Gardner.
- Substitutes: R. Staunton, H. Brown, G. Turi, C. Oduor, J. Kabia, D. Rose, S. Auton.
Manchester United Starting XI & Substitutes
- Starting XI (4-2-3-1): A. Onana (GK); D. Dalot, H. Maguire (c), T. Fredricson, P. Dorgu; M. Ugarte, K. Mainoo; Amad Diallo, M. Cunha, A. Heaven; B. Sesko.
- Substitutes: A. Bayindir, T. Heaton, M. de Ligt, D. León, Casemiro, M. Mount, B. Fernandes, B. Mbeumo, J. Zirkzee.
Analysis: The Story Behind the Team Sheets
The lineups told two very different stories. One was of ambition, the other of experimentation.
Ruben Amorim’s 8-Change Gamble: A Weakened United?
Manchester United’s lineup was a clear gamble by Ruben Amorim. With 8 changes from their previous Premier League match, this was a side built for rotation.
The team sheet featured the full debut for new signing Benjamin Sesko, who led the line. It also gave rare starts to Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, and Patrick Dorgu. This selection was a high-risk, high-reward move, balancing the need to rest senior players with the very real threat of a cup upset at a famously hostile ground.
Grimsby’s Full-Strength Ambition
In stark contrast, manager David Artell fielded his strongest available side. The Grimsby Town lineup signaled a clear intent to attack the opportunity. In front of a packed and raucous Blundell Park, Artell put his trust in the first-team regulars that had started the League Two season so brightly.
An Analyst’s Take on the Team Sheets:
Man United’s lineup was a pure experiment. By resting stars like Fernandes and Casemiro, Amorim was trusting his fringe players to get the job done. But this combination—a new-look defence captained by Maguire and an untested attack—had never played together competitively. Grimsby’s lineup, by contrast, was built on cohesion. Artell banked on the fact that his best XI, roared on by a home crowd, could unsettle United’s disjointed side early. He was right.
Full Match Report: How the Blundell Park Giant-Killing Unfolded
From the first whistle, Grimsby Town played with an intensity that United’s experimental side struggled to match.
First Half: Grimsby’s 2-0 Shock Lead
Grimsby’s direct and aggressive approach paid off spectacularly, stunning the Premier League visitors.
- Goal: Charles Vernam (22′)
The Mariners took a deserved lead when Vernam found space and fired a shot past Andre Onana to send the home crowd into delirium.
- Goal: Tyrell Warren (30′)
Just eight minutes later, Blundell Park erupted again. Defender Tyrell Warren doubled the lead, leaving United facing a 2-0 deficit and a monumental cup shock.
Second Half: United’s Desperate Comeback
Facing humiliation, Ruben Amorim was forced to turn to his star-studded bench. The introductions of Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, and Bryan Mbeumo changed the game’s dynamic.
- Goal: Bryan Mbeumo (75′)
United’s pressure finally told. Mbeumo, one of the senior substitutes, pulled one back with 15 minutes to play, setting up a frantic finale.
- Goal: Harry Maguire (89′)
Just as Grimsby looked set to hold on for a famous 2-1 win, United’s captain Harry Maguire powered home an equalizer in the 89th minute. The goal silenced the home crowd and broke Grimsby’s hearts, sending the tie to a penalty shootout with the score at Full-Time 2-2.
The Marathon Penalty Shootout: Grimsby Win 12-11
What followed was one of the most dramatic penalty shootouts in recent EFL Cup history. Both teams went blow-for-blow, with even the goalkeepers stepping up to score.
After 24 nerve-shredding spot-kicks, it was Grimsby who held their nerve. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha failed to convert for United, and Grimsby Town secured a historic 12-11 victory on penalties, completing the giant-killing.
Key Match Statistics & Post-Match Analysis
The final stats paint a vivid picture of a classic cup tie, dominated by one side on paper but won by the other on heart.
Final Match Stats (Possession, Shots, & More)
| Stat | Grimsby Town | Manchester United |
| Possession | 30% | 70% |
| Total Shots | 10 | 28 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 9 |
| Corners | 6 | 4 |
| Fouls | 19 | 9 |
| Data courtesy of [FotMob Match Statistics] |
What the Stats Really Mean:
The stats show a classic cup tie. United dominated the ball (70% possession) and had 28 shots, but for 75 minutes, this was ‘ineffective possession.’ Grimsby’s 19 fouls show their disruptive, high-energy approach, while scoring from 4 of their 10 shots demonstrates a clinical edge that United’s experimental lineup lacked.
Player Spotlight: Sesko’s Debut & Maguire’s Mixed Night
For Manchester United, the Grimsby Town vs Manchester United F.C. lineups created two major talking points.
First, Benjamin Sesko’s full debut was a difficult one. The young striker was isolated and received poor service, starved of the chances he needed to make an impact.
Second, Harry Maguire’s night as captain was a perfect summary of the match. He was part of a defence that conceded twice to a fourth-tier attack, showing disorganization and vulnerability. However, he also stepped up to score the crucial 89th-minute equalizer, showing the character his side had lacked for most of the game.
What the Managers Said: Amorim and Artell’s Reactions
After the match, the managers’ reactions, as reported on the official club websites, were stark.
Grimsby’s David Artell spoke of his immense pride. He praised his team’s belief and their ability to execute a game plan perfectly, earning a “famous” and “deserved” victory for the fans.
A frustrated Ruben Amorim admitted his team selection had not worked. While he defended the decision to rotate and give players minutes, he was critical of the lack of intensity and quality that forced him to use his senior stars to chase the game.
A Historic Night: What This Carabao Cup Result Meant
The Grimsby Town vs Manchester United lineups of August 27, 2025, will be remembered as the catalyst for a historic Carabao Cup upset. While United’s 8 changes and gamble on youth backfired, Grimsby’s full-strength, high-desire performance earned them a famous 12-11 penalty shootout victory.
This match was a powerful lesson in football: a team sheet’s strength isn’t just in the names, but in its cohesion. Grimsby’s XI, while valued at a fraction of United’s, was a team that night, proving that belief and tactics can overcome a sheer gap in talent.
People Also Ask: Grimsby vs Man Utd
What was the final score in Grimsby vs Man Utd?
The final score was 2-2 after 90 minutes. Grimsby Town won 12-11 on penalties.
Who scored in the Grimsby vs Man Utd 2025 match?
For Grimsby Town: Charles Vernam (22′) and Tyrell Warren (30′). For Manchester United: Bryan Mbeumo (75′) and Harry Maguire (89′).
When did Grimsby Town play Manchester United in the cup?
Grimsby Town played Manchester United in the Second Round of the Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) on Wednesday, 27 August 2025.
What was the Grimsby vs Man Utd penalty shootout result?
Grimsby Town won the marathon penalty shootout 12-11.
Did Harry Maguire play against Grimsby Town?
Yes, Harry Maguire started the match as captain for Manchester United and scored the equalizing goal in the 89th minute.
What changes did Man Utd make against Grimsby?
Manager Ruben Amorim made 8 changes to the starting lineup from the previous Premier League match, giving a full debut to Benjamin Sesko and starting players like Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, and Patrick Dorgu.
Where was the Grimsby vs Man Utd match played?
The match was played at Grimsby Town’s home stadium, Blundell Park.
Who is Benjamin Sesko?
Benjamin Sesko is a Slovenian international striker who joined Manchester United in the summer of 2025. The match against Grimsby Town was his first official start for the club.
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