Ruben Amorim apologised to the fans after Manchester United were humiliated by Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, and then aimed a dig at his team of flops.
United fought back from two goals down to force a marathon penalty shootout at Blundell Park, but were dumped out by the League Two underdogs after summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo failed from the spot.
‘I just have to say sorry to our fans,’ said Amorim. ‘The way we started the game, we were not even here. When everything is so important in our club, everything that happened, it’s a problem in our club, we should do so much better.
‘In the penalties, the feeling is the same. I think football was really fair today – the best team won.
‘It should be my job to understand what happened. Again, I’m really sorry for our fans.
‘The support that they have given me, always with all of the defeats they always help the team. Today I have nothing to say. I am really sorry. It’s too much sometimes.
Man United boss Ruben Amorim has criticised his side’s attitude in their defeat by Grimsby
United were beaten by the League Two side on penalties following a dismal display
‘I think the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch. The best players lose because one team can win against any group of players, and I think the team and the players spoke really loud today, so that’s it.’
Having repeated several times that his United players ‘spoke really loud’, Amorim was asked what he meant by the comment.
‘I think it’s really clear what they spoke, so let’s move on from this day,’ he replied. ‘I think it was clear for everybody what happened today.
‘The way we start the game without any intensity, all the idea of the pressure, we were completely lost and that’s why I think they spoke really loud.
That is more than a result. That is the biggest problem in the team. I think it was really clear today.
‘You cannot change everything in one summer. You need to win games. You need to not show this kind of performance.
‘I think this is a little bit the limit. I think something has to change. In this moment, we need to focus on the weekend and then we have time to think.’
Bryan Mbeumo missed the decisive spot kick as Amorim’s Red Devils tenure hit a new low
Despite a shaky performance, Amorim refused to pin the blame on United keeper Andre Onana
It was the first time in United’s history that they have lost to fourth-tier opposition in the cup, and Grimsby boss David Artell was bursting with pride after a famous win.
‘This is an accumulation of 15 months, 18 months, all encompassed in one night,’ he said.
‘Look, they’re an unbelievable team, Manchester United. They’ve got an unbelievable manager and they’re on the right track, you can see that.
‘We’ve got an unbelievable group of players as well, who want to play for this football club, live in the area and want to get better every day.
