Manchester United plummeted to a new low, losing 12-11 on penalties to League Two side Grimsby Town, after their EFL Cup game ended 2-2 at the end of regulation time at Blundell Park on Wednesday.
It was a horror show from the word go, with the visitors looking shaky right from the first whistle. The hosts looked well up for it, and won almost every second ball, putting United under enormous pressure.
Question marks have been raised about this team’s mentality in the past as well, and naturally, they could not contain their opposition, letting in two goals that any competent keeper should have saved.
But not Andre Onana, who reportedly was unhappy at being dropped. It has been clear for a long time, he should have been let go much earlier in the window.
Worst goalkeeper in the history of United From letting in avoidable goals, to flapping at corners, to being unable to save penalties even while getting a hand of them, the Cameroonian had a night to forget.
Yet he completed the whole game, even though Altay Bayindir, and Tom Heaton were both on the bench.
He has had such nights way too often since joining. We should not be surprised to see Royal Antwerp raise their asking price for Senne Lammens’ after this display.
Quite a few of the players who started the game should have a good hard look in the mirror, they either are clearly are not good enough to play for the 20-time English league champions or think they are too big for their own boots.
Case in point being Amad. He was horrendous, and looked so casual. Every mispass, miscontrol was met by anger and frustration which he showed to his teammates.
He struggled as one the No.10s, and looked just as clueless at wingback. It seems like his performance levels have dipped since signing that new deal.
Players and the coach should be ashamed Diogo Dalot, fresh off his mistake against Fulham, looked just as bad against a team almost 60 rungs below the Old Trafford side. Yet Ruben Amorim did not think it wise to take him off.
The defender, along with Onana, should have been axed a long time back. How they continue to play for the biggest club in the world remains a mystery.
Kobbie Mainoo wants to start more games in the Premier League. While he was far from the worst player on the pitch, it is clear why Amorim has opted for the Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes pivot each time.
And what can be said of the Portuguese tactician? He continues to lose more matches than he has won. INEOS have a huge call on their hands.
It almost seems like deja vu, with the co-owners sticking to the manager despite an obvious need to upgrade in the summer. Now after spending so much to mould the squad to his image, will they risk a change? Time is running out, or maybe it already has.
Feature image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
