Manchester United

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Ruben Amorim's biggest problem is that there are multiple issues to address at Manchester United.

Some directly relate to personnel and others have resurfaced around players being unable to carry out his tactics.

Andrew Onana's performance in goal only underlined why United have been looking at a deal for Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

The Cameroon international should have done better for both Grimsby goals and exhibited the same vulnerability in dealing with crosses that underscored Altay Bayindir's performances against Arsenal and Fulham.

"I don't know what Onana is doing," said former Manchester United forward Dion Dublin on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"For the second goal there is nothing at all, just a half-hearted attempt. I would be absolutely livid with my keeper doing that. I would expect to get smashed out of the way if my keeper is coming for a cross. But there was nothing at all."

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton added: "Altay Bayindir looks a bag of nerves from crosses and Onana had his opportunity and there's lapses of concentration.

"I don't know if he thought he could rock up here tonight and it would be a breeze, but it was anything but. How can Ruben Amorim have faith in Onana after that performance?

"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."

On Sky Sports, former United defender Phil Jones and ex-Crystal Palace winger Jobi McAnuff criticised United's approach.

"How many times was the spare man Matthijs de Ligt in the build-up? With the greatest respect to him, you should have an attacking player joining in and getting into the box," said McAnuff.

"It just seems crazy that he [Amorim] is wedded to this formation at all costs, in any circumstances in a match that he is almost forcing people into positions no matter the state of the game. It is baffling that there is no flex at all."

Jones added: "When he [Amorim] changed and put Mason Mount in that position they still went with a back five. They were building with a back five against Grimsby who were sitting on the edge of their own box.

"[But] if he changes now it will be seen as a sign of weakness for sure."

Read more reaction and analysis from Manchester United's defeat here

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"Humiliation on the banks of the Humber," said BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter Ian Dennis as Bryan Mbeumo rattled the crossbar.

Manchester United are not a club built to lose to fourth-tier opposition yet they were out-fought by Grimsby Town at Blundell Park.

"I found the first half pretty embarrassing as an ex-Manchester United player," said Dion Dublin on commentary.

Ruben Amorim made eight changes for the trip to the Lincolnshire, including Andre Onana starting in goal for the first time this season, but was forced into making changes when they were chasing the game at two goals down.

"Amorim makes the changes and I am expecting Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad and Matheus Cunha to be enough," added Dublin. "With the right application, if they had played the game one and two touch, at the right tempo, they might have got over the line.

"But they got out-fought."

Chris Sutton added: "If I was Ruben Amorim, there is not a prayer that I would have made eight changes.

"I would have played my strongest team, try to put the game to bed and then make changes. That was an error from him in my book.

"He will struggle to come back from this. The pressure this season is well and truly on now. If I'm him I am officially worried."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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BBC Radio 5 Live summariser Chris Sutton summed up the predicament Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim was in at half-time against Grimsby Town on Wednesday evening.

"If Grimsby Town win tonight, I honestly don't think Ruben Amorim can come back from this," Sutton said.

"This isn't knee-jerk, it's the perception of him, not just to lose but in the manner in which United have played in the first half too."

United had never previously lost to a fourth-tier side.

The only recent precedents were other defeats in this competition, to York in 1995 and MK Dons in 2014. Defeat at Southend in 2006 was similar in terms of the raucous old school stadium where it happened but the Essex side were actually in the Championship at the time.

None of those defeats came from quite such a gloomy place as this one. Amorim finished with his new-look £200m strikeforce on the pitch and paired Kobbie Mainoo with Bruno Fernandes in the midfield formation many United fans have been pleading for.

The spot-kick drama took away some of the edge of incredulity in the moment. But when the dust settles, major questions will be asked about where United are going.

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Grimsby Town's magical night came from another humiliating performance from Manchester United.

A thrilling penalty shootout resulted in a Carabao Cup second-round defeat to fourth-tier opposition as head coach Ruben Amorim cowered in the dugout.

Where do United go from here? Well, that is the question everyone is asking this morning.

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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim on the second round Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town: "I think this is a little bit the limit. I think something has to change.

"I think the team and the players spoke really loud today, so that's it. I think the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch.

"I think it's really clear what they spoke, so let's move on from this day. I think it was clear for everybody what happened today.

"The way we start the game without any intensity, we were completely lost.

"In this moment, we need to focus on the weekend and then we have time to think."

On whether he could believe what he saw: "No, but I'm the manager. It should be my job to understand what happened.

"[I have] no more answers. I do not even have anything to say. I just want to apologise to our fans. I'm really, really sorry."

Manchester United are on the verge of agreeing a deal worth between £35m and £40m to sell 21-year-old Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho to fellow Premier League side Chelsea. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of United's display?

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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I don't think it is by accident Manchester United put their team news for the Grimsby cup tie on an X post with a massive picture of Kobbie Mainoo, external as the backdrop.

United know Mainoo is hugely popular. Any decision for him to leave would attract criticism from the club's supporters.

But the dilemma is clear. Mainoo has been picked in the Bruno Fernandes role.

If he is to get his place back, he has either got to oust the captain or persuade Ruben Amorim he can do another job.

Cam Gardner, who scored in the previous round, leads the attack for Grimsby. New signing Clarke Oduor is on the bench.

Grimsby XI: Pym, Sweeney, McJannet, Warren, Rodgers, McEachran, Green, Khouri, Vernam, Burns, Gardner.

Subs: Anton, Staunton, Amaluzor, Brown, Soonsup-Bell, Kabia, Turi, Oduor, Rose

There's a first start for Manchester United summer signing Benjamin Sesko.

In total, there are eight changes for the visitors, with Andre Onana starting in goal for the first time this season.

Man Utd XI: Onana, Fredricson, Maguire, Heaven, Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dorgu, Amad, Cunha, Sesko

Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, De Ligt, Leon, Casemiro, Fernandes, Mount, Mbeumo, Zirkzee.

There are four games involving Premier League sides in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Mansfield Town

• Fulham v Bristol City

• Oxford United v Brighton

• Grimsby Town v Manchester United (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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BBC Senior Football Correspondent Sami Mokbel says Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo "needs to give serious consideration" to an exit from the club and risks becoming "the forgotten man" if he doesn't make the right move.

Mainoo seems to have slipped back quite a way since his 2023-24 breakthrough campaign under Erik ten Hag, when he scored in the FA Cup final and started for England in the Euro 2024 final.

After he was an unused substitute against Fulham on Sunday, Ruben Amorim said the 20-year-old is "fighting for the position now with Bruno [Fernandes]".

"If he's got to fight with the captain of the football club for his position, it doesn't bode well for Kobbie Mainoo," Mokbel told the Football Daily podcast.

"My understanding is that Mainoo reluctantly will consider offers going forward because I think he's realised his opportunities at Manchester United are going to be few and far between this season given his direct competition is the captain.

"I think there will be a lot of takers. Chelsea historically have an interest but they're pretty well-stocked in central midfield at the moment.

"In a World Cup year, for a guy who started in the Euro 2024 final for England, he needs to playing football and in my opinion needs to give serious consideration for an exit from United.

"He's maybe going to have to go down a rung lower on the Premier League ladder than he'd want to.

"I'd imagine for Kobbie Mainoo, as important as it is to play Premier League football, going down the food chain is fraught with concerns. If the step down doesn't go well, where do you go from there?

"Sometimes your career is governed by your transfers and what moves you take and if you don't make the right one you can very quickly become the forgotten man."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on whether Bruno Fernandes is playing out of position at Manchester United as his role was a discussion point on the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate.

Here are some of your comments:

Pete: United should have taken the money and sold him. He was the stand-out player in a poor team, but he is not a good enough standard for what they're trying to build. Bring Mainoo back into the side and buy someone to play alongside him.

Roger: Bruno Fernandes is definitely playing out of position. He should be playing further up the pitch behind the front three instead of Mason Mount and Mainoo should play where Bruno is playing now with either Ugarte or a new signing. That way we'd have stability in midfield and creativity, and Bruno in a more attacking position scoring or creating chances for goals.

Rahul: I think Bruno is a quality player. He is experienced enough to play in any position the manager wants him to. This thing about playing in only one position is overrated and seems only to apply to United.

Jon: Bruno being the captain is one of the main problems at United. Yes he is quite clearly the most talented player at the club but his attitude is abysmal - constantly moaning and throwing his hands up. Shouldn't have ever been given the armband in the first place.

Listen to The Devils' Advocate

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Manchester United's Jadon Sancho and Chelsea's fellow winger Tyrique George find their futures strangely interlinked.

Sancho is Roma's first-choice target to strengthen their attack but multiple sources have suggested getting him out of Old Trafford is complicated.

One issue is his reported £300,000-a-week wages being an obstacle for any buying club, while sources in Italy also believe he is lukewarm about moving to the Serie A club.

Further complicating matters is United's ability to trigger an option to extend Sancho's contract for a further year, until 2027, to avoid him leaving for free after any loan deal should one be agreed.

Ultimately, talks between the three parties are complex, while Sancho's agent, Emeka Obasi, also works with Chelsea's George.

The 19-year-old has become a viable alternative for Roma, with Chelsea known to be open to a potential sale.

George is believed to welcome a move to the Stadio Olimpico and a source involved in the deal has explained that £25m should be enough to make it happen if a significant sell-on clause was included.

However, Sancho remains the first choice and any break in the impasse would be likely to result in Roma changing course back to the United man.

Chelsea have other interest in George in England and elsewhere in Europe.

Interestingly, the wingers played together last season at Chelsea and are known to have a close personal relationship.

Sancho is training in United's so-called 'bomb squad' away from the first-team group. George is training with Enzo Maresca's first team but was left out of the squad for Friday's trip to West Ham.

Chelsea are interested in United winger Alejandro Garnacho, Barcelona forward Fermin Lopez and RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons before the transfer deadline next week.

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The Devils' Advocate podcast's co-host Gaz Drinkwater criticised Ruben Amorim for playing Bruno Fernandes out of position in Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Fulham at the weekend.

The captain played in a more defensive role on Sunday, and also missed a chance to put his side ahead from the penalty spot.

Drinkwater said on the podcast: "Bruno Fernandes was United's worst player in the first half. This is not the Fernandes I know and love. And I think that comes from the position he's playing in. It's not his position."

Co-host Joe McGrath also questioned why the Portugal international wasn't sold in the summer: "The way Amorim plays means we can't get the best out of Fernandes. You scratch your head and think 'why didn't we just sell him for the £100m?'

"On his day, he's unbelievable. But if we're backing the manager and we can't get the most out of Fernandes but we can shift him for a great fee, what were the conversations that were had in the background?"

What do you think? Is Fernandes playing out of position? Should he have been sold in the summer?

Give us your thoughts

Listen to the full episode of The Devils' Advocate on BBC Sounds

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are keeping tabs on Manchester United's England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as the 20-year-old looks for a move away after dropping down the pecking order at Old Trafford. (Mail, external)

Mainoo has also emerged as a target for Fulham. (Teamtalk, external)

Manchester United have reached an agreement in principle with Real Betis for 25-year-old Brazil winger Antony to return to the Spanish club in what could be an initial loan with an obligation to buy. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Manchester United are also hoping to agree personal terms with goalkeeper Senne Lammens in order to sign the 23-year-old Belgian from Royal Antwerp before the transfer window closes. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Alejandro Garnacho has rejected a new approach from a Saudi Pro League club in the last 48 hours as talks between Manchester United and Chelsea for the 21-year-old Argentina winger remain very advanced. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Kobbie Mainoo leaving Manchester United is just the latest potential summer twist that no one could have fathomed a year ago. And with good reason.

Ruben Amorim has received incredible backing by the fanbase for a head coach with a 24% win rate in the Premier League.

But I can guarantee that the decision to offload an academy graduate of Mainoo's talent and potential would not go down well, especially if results don't improve.

This is a 20-year-midfielder who started for England in a major final around one year after making his senior debut.

Mainoo was talked about as a £100m-plus footballer. And that talk was justified, given his wealth of traits and early experience.

He has scored crucial goals against Wolves, Liverpool and Lyon, and the winner in an FA Cup final against Manchester City, no less.

The task of thwarting United captain Bruno Fernandes seems like an impossible and unreasonable one.

Fernandes will always be in the team, even if his disaster at Fulham extends into a poor run of form. So when will Mainoo's opportunity arrive?

You can't possibly tell me that Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte deserve prominent roles while Mainoo watches from the bench. United couldn't get any more hopeless in midfield.

When you possess a player of his quality, you find a way to make him fit. If that's not possible, then we have an issue with the system at Old Trafford, not the player. And, therefore, the head coach.

I was adamant Fernandes had to stay when Al-Hilal came knocking earlier in the summer. But who was I to know that it would be the 30-year-old or Mainoo at that stage?

If it saves the Stockport starlet's future and boosts the budget for a midfield arrival, I would swing the other way if the Saudi Arabia ship hasn't yet sailed.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external