Manchester United Upset by 4th-Tier Grimsby Town in Penalties, Eliminated from EFL Cup

Having already failed to qualify for a European competition for this season, Manchester United will now have even more time to focus on its Premier League campaign.

That's at least the way to positively spin a shocking defeat to Grimsby Town in the second round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

The Red Devils lost 12-11 on penalties after the two sides were level at 2-2 through extra time. Bryan Mbeumo, who scored United's first goal in the 75th minute, hit the crossbar to seal the result.

For clubs of United's stature, a season isn't really defined by how far you advance in a domestic cup competition. Last year, Plymouth Argyle dumped Liverpool out of the FA Cup in the fourth round, and that was a mere footnote for the Reds because they were Premier League champions.

When Manchester United in a prolonged malaise that grows worse with each passing year, losing to a fourth-tier side is the last thing you need, though.

United's performance on Wednesday will also fuel those who have long been skeptical about manager Ruben Amorim. His tactical approach simply isn't working with the players he has at his disposal right now, yet he remains wedded to the system.

Two images of Amorim are what a lot of people will remember from this unexpected exit.

With Manchester United trailing by two goals midway through the second half, the television cameras caught him looking at a tactics sheet from the bench:

Then in the penalty shootout, it was tough to see him at all as he apparently couldn't watch the drama unfold for himself:

United plays Burnley on Saturday, and facing off with a newly promoted side is a golden opportunity to rebuild some confidence on the pitch. But matchups with Manchester City and Chelsea await after that, and a date with Liverpool looms on Oct. 19.

There's nothing to indicate Amorim is in imminent danger of getting sacked. The situation may look a lot different in another month or two because United isn't showing much improvement under his watch.

Sure, the problems plaguing the club go so far beyond what any one manager can solve, but ownership isn't going to fire itself.