Grimsby Town stunned Manchester United after the League Two side raced into a two-goal lead against their Premier League visitors.
Goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren gave the Mariners a shock advantage at the break in the Carabao Cup Second Round tie at Blundell Park.
But, on the first half showing at least, it was the least the hosts deserved as, in front of a raucous home crowd, they produced a fearless performance to heap further misery on United’s underwhelming start to the new season.
Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim made wholesale changes to the side that drew with Fulham in the Premier League at the weekend, but still named a strong starting team that included the likes of Harry Maguire, Matheus Cunha, Kobbie Mainoo and Benjamin Sesko, making his first start for the club.
However, the lengthy list of household names and eye-watering price tags in the visitors’ line-up could do little to prevent Grimsby having the better of the half.
Seemingly unperturbed by their top-flight opposition, the League Two high-flyers – currently unbeaten this term – deservedly took the lead when Vernam fired home from Darragh Burns on 22 minutes.
It was two before half an hour had elapsed after Andre Onana, doing little to sway his mounting critics, got nowhere near a cross from the left, allowing former United academy player Warren to steal in and prod the ball into an empty net.
Sesko then had a chance to halve the deficit for the lacklustre visitors, but the towering Slovenian shot straight at Grimsby keeper Christy Pym.
A serious Carabao Cup shock looks to be on the cards.
