Charlie Grace

Wed 27 August 2025 8:00, UK

Manchester United be eyeing their first win of the season as they head to Grimsby in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Coming off the back of a frustrating draw away at Fulham on Sunday, Ruben Amorim’s side have taken just one point from their first two Premier League matches, despite some positive performances.

Grimsby, on the other hand, have had an unbeaten start to their season, winning three and drawing two of their opening five league games.

Amorim knows he needs to turn the tide at the club quickly if he’s to stay in his job and with the mood around Old Trafford faltering, anything besides a comprehensive win will add fuel to the fire.

Grimsby will carry momentum and optimism into Blundell Park, backed by a big crowd, and it’s up to Amorim’s team to get the job done in what could be a hostile atmosphere.

Manchester United predicted XI v Grimsby

After two taxing early season performances it’s likely Amorim will rotate his squad somewhat, but equally the Portuguese coach will be wary of throwing too many inexperienced players into a cup game which has taken on added importance due to United’s poor early season run.

All eyes will be on who Amorim picks in goal as Altay Bayindir, last season’s cup goalkeeper, has started the first two Premier League games of the season, suggesting Andre Onana may have fallen in the pecking order, but he could make his first start of the season in this game.

At the back, Harry Maguire will likely be picked for his experience, while opportunities may be awarded to Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredricson as the other two centre backs.

Diogo Dalot and Amad Diallo have both started at right wing-back this season so there will likely be a toss up between the two depending on whether Amorim wants more defensive solidity or more attacking prowess at the positon.

In the midfield Kobbie Mainoo is due minutes, as reports link him with a move away from the club, and Manuel Ugarte may also be favoured as an alternative to the ageing Casemiro.

Harry Amass may play in place of Patrick Dorgu at left wing-back after the Dane has played two full 90 minute games already this campaign.

Finally, in the forward line Joshua Zirkzee is yet to start a game this season, as is new signing Benjamin Sesko, while Chido Odi Martin may also feature.

One name to keep an eye on is young academy graduate Ethan Williams who Amorim opted to give opportunities to in pre season and has experience against League Two opposition having spent the second half of last season on loan at Cheltenham Town, where he filled in at both left-wing and left wing-back.

New midfielder is crucial buy but one system tweak could help Ruben Amorim

Football Insider verdict

Following both of United’s games so far this season one common trend has revealed itself, within Amorim’s system.

As the 40-year-old deploys a double pivot behind an aggressive front line press and in front of a back three who are asked to be aggressive as they jump into midfield, the two midfielders can often be left in limbo out of possession.

As a result, Amorim likes his central midfielders to have high athletic abilities, covering large portions of ground throughout the 90 minutes as well as being capable of making a large range if passes.

Currently in his squad Amorim has players who can do one or the other, but not both, not to mention Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro are both over 30, and Mainoo seems to be out favour despite his qualities.

While a new midfield signing would be preferable (the club have monitored several targets including Brighton’s Carlos Baleba), the finances are tight, and in the short term one tactical move may help Amorim.

Against Arsenal United pressed the Gunners in a 4-4-2 shape, making them more compact and hard to play through, whereas, against Fulham that switched to a 3-4-3 shape meaning the Cottagers were able to bypass the initial three man press and overload the central areas with a three or four against two in the middle.

Both Marco Silva and Alex Iwobi (who caused United’s midfield problems all afternoon with his movement in the midfield third) highlighted this after the game, and it suggests Amorim may have to tweak his system back to what worked against Arsenal, if his side are to be more solid out of possession.