The fixture between Grimsby Town and Manchester United F.C. on August 27, 2025, will be remembered as one of the most dramatic and intense encounters in recent football history. Taking place at the intimate but passionate Blundell Park, this match was part of the Carabao Cup second round. It culminated in a nail-biting penalty shootout where lower-league Grimsby triumphed 12-11 after a 2-2 draw in normal and extra time, sending shockwaves through the footballing world. Central to the drama were the lineups and tactical setups of both teams, which paint a vivid picture of David versus Goliath in football.
The Grimsby Town Lineup and Tactical Setup
Grimsby Town, representing League Two, approached this fixture with a dependable and organized squad that maximized their defensive discipline alongside bursts of counter-attacking creativity. Their formation communicated a balanced 4-1-4-1 system, emphasizing solidity in midfield and defense while allowing wide players to both support defense and launch attacks.
The starting goalkeeper was Christy Pym, a key figure whose performance was critical, especially during the marathon penalty shootout. The back four comprised Harvey Rodgers, Tyrell Warren, Cameron McJannet, and Jayden Sweeney. Each defender played a disciplined role, with Warren notably scoring in the 30th minute, highlighting their threat on set-pieces.
Anchoring the midfield was George McEachran, shielding the defensive line and orchestrating transitions. Ahead, the wide midfielders and wingers — Evan Khouri, Kieran Green, Charles Vernam, and Darragh Burns — provided width and creativity, adeptly doubling as auxiliary full-backs when out of possession. Their lone striker, Cameron Gardner, functioned as a target man, holding up play and linking attacks.
This setup was designed to absorb pressure from Manchester United’s more expansive style while looking to exploit transitional moments, a tactic that proved effective as Grimsby grabbed an early two-goal lead through Vernam and Warren.
Manchester United’s Lineup: A Mix of Experience and Emerging Talent
Manchester United, one of the world’s most illustrious clubs, fielded a surprisingly strong lineup for a second-round cup match, demonstrating intent to assert dominance despite the challenge posed by Grimsby.
The Reds lined up in a dynamic 4-2-3-1 formation. The keeper was André Onana, an experienced custodian whose moments of brilliance were offset by some critical errors in this match. The defense featured a blend of experience and youth: Fredricson and Dalot on the flanks, with Harry Maguire captaining the backline alongside Heaven.
The double pivot in midfield was held by Ugarte and Mainoo, who were tasked with both breaking up play and recycling possession to the more advanced line. Ahead of them, a creative trio comprising Bruno Fernandes (introduced at halftime to shore things up), Amad, and Dorgu sought to unlock Grimsby’s defensive shape.
The lone striker role was held initially by Sesko, with Matheus Cunha coming off the bench to add firepower in the second half alongside Bryan Mbeumo. Mbeumo was notable for scoring United’s first goal, reducing the deficit and igniting a dramatic comeback.
Tactical Shifts and Impact Substitutions
At halftime, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim made bold substitutions by introducing his captain Bruno Fernandes along with Mbeumo and defensive stalwart Matthijs de Ligt to stem the tide. These changes shifted the dynamic of the game, increasing United’s control in midfield and creating attacking urgency.
Interestingly, Mason Mount and Mbeumo ended up playing wing-back roles as the Reds searched for a breakthrough, highlighting tactical flexibility. This aggressive press culminated in Harry Maguire’s late equalizer in the 89th minute, forcing the game into extra time and eventually penalties.
Grimsby’s structure remained compact but reactive, relying on resilience and tactical awareness to disrupt United’s rhythm and maintain pressure.
Penalty Drama and Lineups’ Legacy
The dramatic penalty shootout became the defining moment of the match and an enduring memory for fans. Both goalkeepers, Pym and Onana, made crucial saves throughout the extended shootout sequence. In total, 12 rounds of penalties were executed, with Grimsby eventually prevailing 12-11.
Notably, United’s Matheus Cunha missed their decisive penalty that could have sent the Reds through, while Grimsby’s Mbeumo missed a penalty by hitting the crossbar but the shootout extended beyond this miss due to the marathon nature of the contest.
The lineups exemplified the vast gulf between a Premier League giant and a League Two underdog, but also showed that with organization, heart, and tactical discipline, giant-killing feats are always possible. This game serves as a case study in team selection, tactical adjustment, and the unstoppable drama of cup football.
Summary of Starting Lineups
| Team | Formation | Starting XI |
|---|---|---|
| Grimsby Town | 4-1-4-1 | Pym; Rodgers, Warren, McJannet, Sweeney; McEachran; Burns, Green, Khouri, Vernam; Gardner |
| Manchester United | 4-2-3-1 | Onana; Fredricson, Maguire (C), Heaven; Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dorgu; Amad, Cunha; Sesko |
This lineup battle reflected two distinct footballing philosophies and resource levels—Grimsby’s defensive solidity and counter-attacking prowess versus Manchester United’s mix of star power and youth talents aiming to control possession and dictate play.
The Grimsby Town vs Manchester United F.C. match will be remembered not only for the unpredictability of the result but also as a testament to the depth, strategy, and drama football lineups bring to the game.
