Few EFL Cup ties in recent memory carried as much raw, dramatic weight as the Grimsby Town Vs Manchester United F.C. Lineups clash at Blundell Park on August 27, 2025. A League Two side hosting a Premier League giant — six divisions separating them — in what was billed as the most lopsided second-round tie of the competition. The football world had its eyes fixed on Cleethorpes.
Matchup at a Glance: Grimsby Town (League Two, 4th tier) hosted Manchester United (Premier League, 1st tier) in the EFL Cup Second Round at Blundell Park. Kick-off: 8:00 PM BST. Capacity crowd of 8,747— a historic fixture — their first competitive meeting since 1948.
And what followed was one of English football’s all-time great upsets. For confirmed starting XI details, tactical breakdowns, and injury updates.
Confirmed Lineups – Grimsby Town Vs Manchester United F.C.
Both managers named their squads for this Carabao Cup second-round tie, and the selections told contrasting stories.
Grimsby Town – Confirmed Starting XI (3-4-2-1)
- GK: Christy Pym
- CB: Jayden Sweeney
- CB: Cameron McJannett
- CB: Tyrell Warren
- MF: George McEachran
- MF: Harvey Rodgers
- MF: Evan Khouri
- MF: Darragh Burns
- FW: Charles Vernam
- FW: Kieran Green
- ST: Cameron Alexander Gardner
Substitutes: Auton, Staunton, Brown, Kabia, Oduor, Turi, Amaluzor, Rose, Soonsup-Bell
Manchester United – Confirmed Starting XI (3-4-3)
- GK: André Onana
- CB: Ayden Heaven
- CB: Harry Maguire
- CB: Tyler Fredricson
- WB: Amad Diallo
- CM: Kobbie Mainoo
- CM: Manuel Ugarte
- WB: Diogo Dalot
- AM: Matheus Cunha
- FW: Patrick Dorgu
- ST: Benjamin Šeško
Substitutes: Bayındır, Heaton, León, De Ligt, Fernandes, Casemiro, Mount, Mbeumo, Zirkzee
Team News & Injury Updates
Grimsby Town
David Artell’s side went into this tie in excellent form, unbeaten in their opening five League Two fixtures with three wins and two draws. Their squad was largely fit and firing.
- Jason Svanthorsson — ruled out with injury ahead of the match
- Sam Lavelle — also expected to miss out through injury
- Jaze Kabia — named among the substitutes; the striker had scored four goals early in the season and provided a dangerous option off the bench
Artell was able to field a settled, confident starting XI that had gelled well in League Two action. For more match insights, you can also check out our latest coverage: Aston Villa Vs Newcastle Fourth Round Match Report
Manchester United
Ruben Amorim arrived at Blundell Park under mounting pressure. United were yet to win a Premier League game, collecting just one point from their opening two matches — a home defeat to Arsenal and a draw at Fulham.
- Amorim fielded a strong lineup, deploying his preferred 3-4-3 system with £200 million worth of summer signings
- Bruno Fernandes dropped to the bench — a notable omission from the starting XI
- André Onana returned in goal despite ongoing uncertainty around his future at the club
- Tyler Fredricson — the young centre-back was handed a start, continuing Amorim’s trust in academy-developed players
- Leny Yoro — rested for this fixture, with Fredricson taking his place
- Luke Shaw — given a breather, replaced by the fresher-legged Heaven at wing-back
Tactical Analysis
Formation Comparison
| Grimsby Town | Manchester United | |
| Formation | 3-4-2-1 | 3-4-3 |
| Manager | David Artell | Ruben Amorim |
| Style | High press, direct, compact | Possession-based, vertical transitions |
Both sides lined up in three-at-the-back systems — a fascinating mirror image that played into Grimsby’s favour on the night.
Playing Styles
Grimsby pressed with relentless energy from the first whistle. Artell had drilled his side to win second balls, press high up the pitch, and exploit the space behind United’s advanced wing-backs. Their 3-4-2-1 shape was designed to overload midfield and deny United’s midfield pivot any time to breathe.
Manchester United, in contrast, attempted to control possession through Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte. The problem? United’s new attacking signings — Šeško, Cunha, and Dorgu — were still finding their rhythm together, and the cohesion simply wasn’t there against a lower-league side playing at full intensity.
Key Tactical Battles
- McEachran vs. Mainoo/Ugarte — Grimsby’s midfield engine room disrupted United’s build-up at every turn
- Vernam vs. United’s right side — the winger was a constant menace, making intelligent diagonal runs that stretched the Red Devils’ back three
- Šeško vs. Grimsby’s centre-backs — the Slovenian striker found himself isolated and unable to impose himself on a physical, well-organised Grimsby defence
Key Players to Watch
Grimsby Town
Charles Vernam (Winger) is the standout performer of the night. Vernam opened the scoring on 22 minutes with a composed finish from Darragh Burns’ deep cross, and was a constant thorn in United’s side throughout. His directness, pace, and intelligent movement proved too much for Amorim’s backline.
Tyrell Warren (Centre-Back / Goalscorer) A former Manchester United academy player, Warren wrote one of football’s most poetic scripts when he walked the ball into an empty net to make it 2-0, capitalising on a howler from Onana from a corner. His composure under pressure was exemplary throughout.
Darragh Burns (Midfielder) The creative engine in the Grimsby midfield who set up the opening goal with a precise, intelligent delivery. Burns worked tirelessly in both directions and embodied the relentless spirit that Artell had built into this team.
Manchester United
Benjamin Šeško (Striker) The big summer signing was handed his first United start and endured a difficult evening. Unable to get into the game against a compact Grimsby defence, he was eventually replaced and will need to find better form quickly.
Kobbie Mainoo (Central Midfielder) The academy graduate was one of United’s brighter performers and demonstrated why there was significant transfer interest in him. His ability to drive forward from midfield gave United glimpses of attacking threat.
André Onana (Goalkeeper) A night to forget for the Cameroonian. His failure to deal with Vernam’s corner directly led to Grimsby’s second goal, and his overall performance added further question marks over his position as United’s undisputed number one.
Match Stats & Comparison
| Stat | Grimsby Town | Manchester United |
| Possession % | 29% | 71% |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 6 |
| Goals (90 mins) | 2 | 2 |
| Result (Penalties) | W (12–11) | L (12–11) |
| Recent League Form | W-W-D-W-D | L-D (PL 2025/26) |
| League Level | League Two (4th tier) | Premier League (1st tier) |
Match Prediction & Expectations (Pre-Match)
Before kick-off, almost every analyst — including Sports Mole — backed Manchester United to progress comfortably. As also noted in coverage by The London Magazine, the gulf in resources was impossible to ignore: United had spent more in a single summer window than Grimsby had across their entire history.
The predicted scoreline reflected that imbalance, with most forecasts suggesting a routine 3–0 or 4–0 victory for United, and Benjamin Šeško tipped to open his goalscoring account for the club.
What unfolded, however, completely defied expectations. Grimsby stormed into a 2–0 lead, United fought back to level at 2–2, and the match ultimately went to a dramatic penalty shootout. In a remarkable turn of events, the Mariners held their nerve to secure a 12–11 victory, eliminating the Red Devils.
According to post-match analysis highlighted by The London Magazine, this result marked the first time in Manchester United’s history that they had been knocked out of a cup competition by a fourth-tier side, a moment that will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary upsets in EFL Cup history.
Conclusion
The Grimsby Town Vs Manchester United F.C. lineups clash at Blundell Park will be remembered for generations. David Artell’s League Two warriors, backed by a packed home crowd, outfought and outlasted one of football’s most storied clubs. From the confirmed team news showing United taking it seriously to the tactical intelligence of Grimsby’s setup, this was a masterclass in cup football. The Mariners proved that on any given night, the beautiful game belongs to the brave.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the confirmed Grimsby Town vs Manchester United lineups today?
Grimsby started Pym, McJannett, Warren, Sweeney, Burns, Khouri, McEachran, Rodgers, Vernam, Green, and Gardner. United fielded Onana, Maguire, Fredricson, Heaven, Diallo, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot, Cunha, Dorgu, and Šeško.
Who scored in the Grimsby vs Manchester United match?
Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren scored for Grimsby. Manchester United’s scorers levelled at 2-2, before Grimsby won 12-11 on penalties.
Were there any injury updates for Manchester United ahead of the Grimsby fixture?
Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro were rested. Bruno Fernandes started on the bench. No major injuries were confirmed, but squad rotation was applied throughout.
What formation did Ruben Amorim use against Grimsby Town?
Amorim deployed his preferred 3-4-3 system with Onana in goal, a back three of Heaven, Maguire, and Fredricson, and Šeško leading the attack.
What was the result of Grimsby Town vs Manchester United in the EFL Cup?
The match ended 2-2 after 90 minutes. Grimsby Town won 12-11 on penalties to eliminate Manchester United from the Carabao Cup Second Round.