A closer look at why Ruben Amorim is facing a devil of a job to lift United

Manchester United are reeling from a Carabao Cup calamity at Grimsby that has invited scrutiny and fresh questions over the future of head coach Ruben Amorim.

Despite seeing a deserved victory snatched away when Harry Maguire’s last-gasp header snatched a 2-2 draw, the League Two side were not to be denied as they beat the wretched Red Devils 12-11 on penalties.

The ignominious exit leaves scars and highlights issues around the stumbling Old Trafford outfit and their under-fire manager just three games into the new season.

New signings, a revamped training ground and promising pre-season had seen optimism return to United just three months on from the damaging Europa League final loss to Tottenham compounding their worst top-flight campaign in 51 years.

But things have quickly turned, with a promising performance in the 1-0 home loss to Arsenal followed by Sunday’s bumpy 1-1 draw at Fulham and, most alarmingly, the deserved loss to a League Two opposition.

United somehow managed to put in an even more disturbing display against Grimsby than Louis van Gaal’s side did in the 4-0 loss at League One outfit MK Dons at this stage of the competition in 2014. Wednesday night felt like the nadir of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

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Every aspect of United’s display disappointed Amorim, whose side were outthought, outfought and overran in an abysmal first half. Andre Onana, making his first appearance of the season, should have done better for the first goal and gifted the hosts a second, but it was about more than just a blundering goalkeeper.

United, who made eight changes, reverted to the soft, stumbling side that failed last season. Three players were replaced at the break,