This is the first time since 2014-15 that Man United have played in the League Cup since round 2, the reason being that they will not participate in the European Cup this season. A slow start to the Premier League has caused the atmosphere at Old Trafford to be quiet. A match against a lower-ranked opponent could become an immediate boost of pressure relief.
Man United just had a 1-1 draw with Fulham, a result that was not considered convincing. The opening two rounds of the Premier League have passed but there has been no victory, along with a deadlocked attacking form, making many fans feel worried.
Amorim spent up to £200 million in the summer to strengthen his attack, bringing in potential faces such as Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. However, in reality, all 3 have not been able to score. Therefore, the encounter with Grimsby in the League Cup can be considered a golden opportunity for the new recruits to regain their confidence.
Normally, a match in the outside rounds of the League Cup is an opportunity for big teams to warm up for the Premier League match on the weekend. In particular, for opponents in lower divisions and those who are rated lower, coaches have the right to give different experiments. For Amorim, this is an opportunity for him to swap positions in midfield or attack.
A notable point is the role of Bruno Fernandes. In the last two matches, the M.U captain often had to drop deep, sometimes even taking on the role of almost a deep-lying midfielder. However, to unleash creativity, Amorim could return Bruno to his familiar number 10 position. He will play behind the striker, coordinating with Cunha in the task of exploiting the space and unlocking the opponent's defense.
Benjamin Sesko is also likely to start as a centre-forward. The Slovene striker is under great pressure as he has not scored any goals. Grimsby Town could be a suitable opponent for him to open his England goal account.
The Grimsby game is also an opportunity for fans to see which players are out of Amorim's plans or have problems with the coaching staff. In particular, Kobbie Mainoo is the most notable name as he has not played a single minute since the beginning of the season. In this context, The Athletic reported that Maino is ready to leave Man United in the final days of the transfer window.
Amorim gave the reason because Mainoo is in the same position as Bruno and the English star has to fight for his position. If it were not for some conflict and the Portuguese strategist's statement was correct, he should have given Mainoo a chance to play in the upcoming match.
Apart from Casemiro and Ugarte, Mainoo is the only pure central midfielder left in the Man United squad. However, Amorim was determined to keep Bruno playing low and this seemed to make it difficult for the "Red Devils" captain. As for Mainoo, he has the ability to control the ball, launch attacks as well as support the defense quite well. Therefore, Mainoo should have the opportunity to play, at least against underrated teams like Grimsby Town.
Another notable name is Tyler Fredricson. This young center-back has been on the bench in the Premier League, the League Cup is a good opportunity for him to gain experience.
The goalkeeper position is still a top concern. Altay Bayindir still shows uncertainty. Meanwhile, Andre Onana has not played and many questions have been raised about the relationship between the Cameroonian star and Ruben Amorim.
It is likely that Ruben Amorim will still apply the 3-4-2-1 formation in the match against Grimsby, with Shaw Fredricson Maguire in defense. The wing pair will be Dalot and Dorgu. Amorim's midfield is likely to let Casemiro rest, instead being the Ugarte - Mainoo duo.
The duo Bruno Fernandes - Matheus Cunha will support Sesko up front, creating an attack triangle capable of flexible movement and exploiting space. Bryan Mbeumo will probably be given a break as he has been one of the most active players in the last two Premier League games of the "Red Devils".
The match against Grimsby Town may not be a big challenge in terms of expertise but it is important in terms of spirit and orientation for the whole season of Man United. A convincing victory will help Ruben Amorim and his team relieve pressure, creating motivation for the journey ahead.
