After a drawn-out penalty shootout, Manchester United’s manager Ruben Amorim declared his squad “were completely lost” as they fell badly to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup.

The Premier League team under Amorim has reached a new low with the loss to League Two opponents, and any hope that existed before the start of the new season is now fading.

Before Harry Maguire and Bryan Mbeumo scored late goals to force penalties, United,

who were behind 2-0 after 30 minutes and could have fallen behind three goals in the second half, had any rhythm in a terrible performance.

But when Matheus Cunha missed United’s chance to win the shootout with the last kick of regular five, each player following him scored until Mbeumo struck the bar to give the home team a 12–11 victory.

“I think this is a little bit the limit,” Amorim stated after considering the loss. Something needs to change, in my opinion.

“I believe the players and the squad made a really strong statement today, so that’s it. [Tonight] I believe the only team on the pitch, the best team, won.

“I believe what they said is really obvious, so let’s put today behind us. I believe that everyone understood what had transpired today.

We were totally lost because of the manner we began the game without any intensity.

“In this moment, we need to focus on the weekend, and then we have time to think.”

Last season, United, the 20-time English champions, had their lowest league season since their 1974 relegation, finishing in 15th place.

Now, after one of the worst outcomes in the club’s history, one of their two realistic chances to win a trophy this season has vanished.

Amorim chose a lineup full of internationals and valued hundreds of millions of pounds, yet he made eight changes from the team that drew 1-1 at Fulham on Sunday.

After joining United for £74 million from RB Leipzig, Benjamin Sesko had his first appearance on the pitch, and Andre Onana had a memorable return to goal.