A new step backwards? Absolutely possible. The defeat to a fourth-tier side - for the first time in the club's long and glorious history - as Ruben Amorim himself admitted has spoken it all. Manchester United fell into another crisis, after only 3 consecutive matches without a win in the new season.
Man United's leadership still hopes that the dark days are behind. CEO Omar Berrada affirmed: "From this summer, the worst period will pass." He praised the clear identity Amorim brings, while emphasizing a long-term vision.
In March, Sir Jim Ratcliffe praised Amorim for doing "a great job" and complained that people expected too much from miracles. But now, Man United fans are just hoping to avoid more humiliation like at Grimsby. The FA Cup has become the only hope, and now it is only August.
Many will agree that Amorim needs more time. Part of the Red Devils' biggest problem for more than a decade since Sir Alex Ferguson left the chair has been impatience. They cannot be steadfast in a plan, cannot realize an idea.
That thinking is reasonable, especially when M.U has committed to following Amorim's path, to the point of being willing to eliminate inappropriate talents. If we restructure the entire squad and then abandon the project soon, what is the point of all this?
The last traces of the old regime have just disappeared. The images of Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho who were once On billboards - the faces that represented the most recent FA Cup championship - are now just memories on the sidelines.
The most worrying thing about the Blundell Park tragedy is the behavior of the coach whose project is on the cards. There was a scene where Amorim disrupted the tactical board when the team was led by Grimsby by 2 goals. There was a scene where he avoided his players before a series of penalty shoots, then sat down on the coaching bench, refusing to watch the match when it entered the life-and-death moment.
"Meme" may be just an outside story, but the things he said afterwards are really getting attention. "There must be something change. And we will not change 22 players," Amorim said after the embarrassing defeat.
As Amorim admitted, there were enough changes on the pitch for him to start controlling the situation. Man United ended the match with a new attacking trio worth £200 million.
However, Matheus Cunha was the first to lose, while Bryan Mbeumo was the one who decided to end the tragedy. Between the two missed times, there was an unbelievable scene: Benjamin Sesko - a £74 million rookie - had to be the last player off the pitch to step up to the penalty spot.
Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu, who were bought back to serve Amorim's system, were also present. Manuel Ugarte, his former student, also appeared. The pieces have been added, but the entire machine is still operating poorly.
His tactical rigidity, with Mason Mount dragged down to play left-back, will certainly be the focus of controversy outside. But within, the bigger concern for Amorim and his superiors is spirit and cohesion. This side was once praised, but now it has broken down.
The message throughout the summer of 2025 from Old Trafford is a change. The atmosphere is different, in addition to the plan to build a new stadium and upgrade the training facilities. Luke Shaw even talked about escaping the "toxic environment" of the past. Man United is being promoted as starting a new chapter.
But after the Carabao Cup defeat, if Amorim himself has lost confidence, things will probably be over.
