Manchester United faced a humiliating "giant-killing" exit from the League Cup, falling to League Two side Grimsby in a dramatic penalty shootout, 12-11. The defeat, which saw United become the "big catch of the round," marked a significant low point, especially as they were knocked out by a fourth-tier team for the first time in their history. The Red Devils, 58 places above Grimsby in the English football pyramid, had initially trailed 2-0 in the 62nd minute before mounting a late comeback to force the shootout, only to ultimately crash out.

The match was compounded by social media frenzy, as fans brutally mocked manager Ruben Amorim. TV cameras captured a rain-soaked Amorim desperately consulting a soggy laminated tactics board, moving magnetic pieces in search of answers while his team was losing. This image became fodder for quick-thinking fans who created numerous doctored photos. These mock-ups depicted Amorim playing with an Etch A Sketch, children's board games like Guess Who and Operation, or even sorting through a binder of Pokémon cards. One edited picture even showed him knitting a red, green, and yellow scarf instead of focusing on tactics. Some supporters also criticized Amorim for "pretending to look busy at work" and for refusing to watch the decisive spot kicks, labeling him a "coward."

Following the game, Amorim did not mince words, expressing his profound anger and disappointment. He told Sky Sports, "I think the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch." He further emphasized, "The team and the players spoke really loud today," suggesting a severe lack of intensity and commitment from his squad from the start of the game. Amorim issued a heartfelt apology to the fans, stating, "I'm really sorry for the fans. The support they gave me... I have nothing to say. I'm really sorry." He also hinted at internal issues, remarking, "Something has to change, and you’re not going to change 22 players again. It’s hard to face everything."

Former Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney weighed in on the crisis, asserting that Ruben Amorim is at a "breaking point." Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he found the manager's post-match comments "damning on the players," indicating that "there’s something broken" at the club. Rooney highlighted the immense pressure of managing a high-profile club like Manchester United, noting that Amorim, at 40 years old, is a young manager unaccustomed to the intense scrutiny from media, commercial teams, and a global fanbase that comes with the Old Trafford job. He expressed concern about who would even want to take on the managerial role at the "crisis club."

Despite a substantial £200 million summer transfer spend, United remain winless in their first three games of the season. The pressure on Amorim is set to intensify significantly if his side fails to secure a victory against newly-promoted Burnley in their upcoming Premier League fixture on Sunday, just before the international break. Bookmakers have already begun tipping Amorim as a potential early casualty of United's "rinse-and-repeat sacking strategy" before he even completes his first year. Amorim's own reflections, including "I have nothing to say and that is the biggest problem also," further underscore the gravity of the situation and suggest he might be contemplating his future at the club.