Man Utd request left Grimsby owner taken aback before Carabao Cup humbling

Grimsby Town owner Jason Stockwood has revealed he was left baffled when a Manchester United official asked him where Ruben Amorim's dressing room was. Stockwood, 55, watched his side complete one of the biggest shocks in League Cup history when the Mariners overcame the Red Devils in a penalty shootout.

Initially, it appeared the League Two side's hearts were going to be broken, as they allowed a 2-0 lead to slip from their grasp. After Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren both took advantage of poor goalkeeping from Andre Onana in the first half, Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire found the net after the break to level the game.

However, a marathon penalty shootout saw Grimsby win 12-11, sparking scenes of jubilation at Blundell Park. After the game, Stockwood revealed an amusing exchange he had with an official at United, which highlighted the stark difference in the clubs' sizes.

Speaking to the Athletic, Stockwood said: "I'll tell you one funny quick thing. With Manchester United coming to town, they sent us almost a rider for the manager, and it was like, 'Where's the manager's changing room?'

"And I was like, 'F***ing hell, the manager's changing room?' For us, it is the back of his car. The manager has a changing room at Man United? I thought that was quite amusing."

Grimsby's triumph saw them become the first ever club from the fourth division in English football to knock United out of a cup competition. It was another poor showing from the Red Devils, who are yet to win a game in the new campaign.

Initially, there was plenty of promise after they pushed Arsenal all the way at Old Trafford before losing 1-0 to the north Londoners. A sticky 1-1 draw away to Fulham brought United down a peg, but the loss to Grimsby has seen the mood at Old Trafford nosedive.

After watching United arrive, Stockwood noted the Red Devils players looked unprepared for the rainy and physical challenge facing them at Blundell Park. He added: "They clearly didn't know what they were coming into.

"When the players came off the bus and onto the pitch, I stood around and the United players did not look like they were up for it. It was all the cliches.

"They have got all those incredible talents and I'm a massive fan of the Premier League. The individual talent on display last night was extraordinary.

"The team performance speaks for itself from United. But seeing them coming in, they did not look like they wanted to be there, which I really enjoyed!"

United face another uncomfortable challenge on the weekend as they host Burnley at Old Trafford. The newly promoted side have their tails up after beating Sunderland in their last Premier League clash, before overcoming Derby County 2-1 in the League Cup.

Considering the mood within and outside United, a clash against Scott Parker's side may be an uncomfortable prospect. United desperately need a victory as they travel to fierce rivals Manchester City and host Chelsea in their next Premier League games.

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