Players to blame for Grimsby loss - De Ligt

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt says the players must take responsibility for the Carabao Cup defeat at League Two Grimsby Town.

United emerged from a difficult few days with a last-gasp victory over Burnley on Saturday, thanks to Bruno Fernandes' penalty at Old Trafford.

Head coach Ruben Amorim refused to look, knowing the intense pressure he had been under would only have increased had his side failed to beat the newly promoted Clarets.

Amorim has been left to explain his emotional reactions, with much of the focus being around whether he is the right man to lead United.

De Ligt, who was introduced at half-time at Blundell Park when the visitors were already two goals down, says that is unfair.

"They always speak about the manager, but as a player you are responsible for the results," he said.

"It's really bad to say that it's the manager's fault. It's mostly us - and we know that.

"We are the ones who looked at each other in the eye after Grimsby and said: 'Guys, the performance of this week is not acceptable.'"

Amorim keeps saying his players cannot control results, only their performances.

Yet after failing to win any of their opening three matches, De Ligt says victory was the only thing that mattered against Burnley.

"I don't think there's much been said about Grimsby because everybody knows how the feeling was," he said. "Everybody from outside could also understand what the feeling is if you lose a game like that.

"We were really disappointed. That is why a win [over Burnley] was the only cure."