Manchester United are preparing to kick off their 2025/2026 EFL Cup campaign next week with a trip to face Grimsby Town on Wednesday, August 27.
It’s a clash that caught the eye of even the neutral fans in England when the draw was announced, given the 20-time champions will be locking horns with the League Two outfit so early in the competition.
Grimsby’s stadium, Blundell Park, holds around 9,000 supporters, so it’s safe to say it’ll be a stark difference to the 74,000 United have grown accustomed to on their home soil. That being said, there are still tickets for the EFL Cup encounter available for those fans wishing to follow Amorim’s squad to Lincolnshire.
Anything other than a comfortable win for the Red Devils would be one of the most significant cup upsets of recent years.
You can secure the best seats for Manchester United’s EFL Cup fixture here!
United’s form heading into the tie
Unfortunately for Ruben Amorim and Co., United got off to a disappointing start in the Premier League by sustaining a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on the opening day. However, the Old Trafford faithful were left pleasantly surprised by how seamlessly new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, both of whom started, fared in their debuts.
The Reds can make amends and look to get their first points on the board when facing Fulham at Craven Cottage this Sunday. A win would put them in good standing to then oversee back-to-back victories (a rarity in Amorim’s tenure) in the days leading up to their EFL Cup opener.
How might Amorim line up his squad vs Grimsby?
Of course, when your opponents rank three divisions lower in the footballing pyramid, there’s likely no need to utilise your mega-money assets — at least not from the off.
Amorim will have the chance to call upon some of his younger/fringe players, granting them the opportunity to stake their claim for more minutes whilst playing a vital role in United potentially advancing to the next round.
For example, academy left-back Harry Amass will be keen to add to his first-team minutes before he is sent out on loan in the closing stages of the transfer window, as well as striker Chido Obi, who is expected to be kept at Amorim’s disposal throughout the term, making it clear he is poised to become one of the next highly-rated prospects to make the leap from U21s to the senior squad on a regular basis.
When did Grimsby last face United?
The two sides have met a total of 37 times, although their most recent contest (at a competitive level) came all the way back in March 1948.
United drew 1-1 with The Mariners in the Division One meeting. Jack Rowley sealed a point via a late equaliser.
