Every once in a while, football delivers one of those unforgettable nights when the underdog refuses to be intimidated by history, money, or global status. On 27 August 2025, Grimsby Town, a proud but modest League Two side, hosted Manchester United F.C. in the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) second round at Blundell Park. What unfolded was more than a match — it became a story of defiance, tactical bravery, and emotional triumph.
While the result — Grimsby eliminating United in a dramatic 12–11 penalty shoot-out after a 2–2 draw — rightly grabbed the headlines, the deeper tale lies within the lineups, formations, and selections made by both managers. This match was as much about team identity and strategy as it was about heart and resilience.
This article explores in detail the Grimsby Town vs Manchester United F.C. lineups, the tactical decisions that shaped the contest, and how the composition of both sides tells the story of English football’s depth and unpredictability.
1. The Context: Why This Fixture Mattered
The 2025–26 EFL Cup second round looked routine on paper. Manchester United, the Premier League giants and 20-time English champions, faced Grimsby Town — a club with a fraction of their budget, playing in League Two. Yet, for the fans at Blundell Park, it was a chance to witness history.
For Grimsby, manager David Artell fielded a team that reflected both faith in his core league performers and belief in his younger prospects. For United, Erik ten Hag, now deep into squad reshaping, used the fixture to test fringe players, academy graduates, and new signings.
Cup nights like this are football’s great equalizers. And the lineups revealed precisely how differently both sides approached it.
2. Grimsby Town Lineup: A Compact 4-1-4-1
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Manager: David Artell
Starting XI:
- GK: Christy Pym
- Defenders: Harvey Rodgers, Tyrell Warren, Cameron McJannet, Jayden Sweeney
- CDM: George McEachran
- Midfielders: Darragh Burns, Kieran Green (c), Evan Khouri, Charles Vernam
- Forward: Cameron Gardner
Grimsby’s approach reflected tactical discipline and collective structure. Artell’s 4-1-4-1 was not designed to park the bus but to frustrate, break intelligently, and exploit spaces behind United’s wing-backs.
Defensive Cohesion
At the heart of Grimsby’s defensive setup were Tyrell Warren and Cameron McJannet, who played narrow, refusing to be lured out by United’s inside forwards. Harvey Rodgers and Jayden Sweeney were key in doubling up on wide threats like Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot.
Keeper Christy Pym had one of the nights of his career, making decisive saves from Cunha and Zirkzee, keeping Grimsby’s belief alive.
Midfield Grit and Transition Play
George McEachran, sitting deepest, played the unsung role of shielding the back four while recycling possession. Ahead of him, captain Kieran Green embodied leadership, pressing tenaciously and directing his younger teammates.
Darragh Burns and Charles Vernam were given freedom to stretch United’s defense. Vernam, in particular, became a tormentor down the left flank, scoring the opener in the 22nd minute. His work rate in transition was immense — tracking back while still carrying attacking threat.
Evan Khouri, the local lad, provided the energy link between midfield and attack, constantly snapping at Kobbie Mainoo and Ugarte.
Lone Striker with Purpose
Up front, Cameron Gardner was isolated for long spells, but his hold-up play and selfless pressing were invaluable. He rarely saw the ball near goal, but his movement created the spaces Vernam and Burns exploited.
Artell’s message was clear: keep shape, work the flanks, and take chances when they come.
3. Manchester United Lineup: Experimentation in a 3-4-2-1
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Manager: Erik ten Hag
Starting XI:
- GK: André Onana
- Defenders: Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire (c), Tyler Fredricson
- Midfielders: Diogo Dalot, Patrick Dorgu, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte
- Attacking Midfielders: Amad Diallo, Matheus Cunha
- Forward: Joshua Zirkzee
Tactical Overview
Ten Hag’s lineup showed clear intent to blend youth, rotation, and tactical experimentation. With Lisandro Martínez, Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Casemiro all rested, this was a platform for depth testing — but it exposed structural imbalances.
United’s back three of Heaven-Maguire-Fredricson lacked cohesion. Heaven and Fredricson, academy graduates, showed composure but little top-flight experience. Maguire’s presence was intended to steady the ship, yet he was drawn into firefighting situations throughout the first half.
Midfield Misfire
The central pairing of Mainoo and Ugarte should have dominated against lower-league opposition. Instead, Grimsby’s pressing forced errors. Mainoo’s creativity was evident, but Ugarte’s positioning was occasionally too deep, inviting pressure.
Dalot and Dorgu operated as wing-backs but found themselves repeatedly overloaded by Grimsby’s wingers. Dorgu’s forward runs left space behind that Vernam and Sweeney exploited ruthlessly.
Front Three Dynamics
Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha were tasked with supporting Zirkzee. Diallo’s dribbling and Cunha’s link-up play looked promising, yet both struggled to find space in Grimsby’s congested middle third.
Zirkzee, physically imposing, was often isolated. Despite neat touches and a clever flick that led to a half-chance, he found little service.
United looked more threatening after substitutions introduced Bryan Mbeumo and Alejandro Garnacho, adding pace and intent late on.
4. Key Moments Explained Through the Lineups
Grimsby’s Early Goals
In the 22nd minute, Charles Vernam capitalized on a quick transition. The move began from McEachran’s interception and ended with Vernam cutting inside Dorgu and curling past Onana. It showcased Grimsby’s direct yet well-coached counter-attacking plan.
Eight minutes later, Tyrell Warren, the center-back, rose highest on a Green corner to make it 2-0. The set-piece, rehearsed repeatedly in training, reflected Artell’s attention to detail and belief that aerial duels could unsettle United’s rotated defense.
United’s Comeback
After a subdued first half, Ten Hag’s men responded. The introduction of Mbeumo changed the tempo; his diagonal runs stretched Grimsby’s structure. In the 75th minute, he pounced on a rebound to halve the deficit.
United’s captain Harry Maguire — often maligned but determined — scored an 89th-minute equalizer from a corner, powering a header beyond Pym. The 2-2 scoreline felt inevitable given the Premier League side’s possession dominance in the final third.
The Penalty Drama
No tactical setup can fully prepare a side for the lottery of penalties. Yet, what stood out was the psychological composure of Grimsby’s players — each taking responsibility. After 24 spot-kicks, Christy Pym denied Ugarte, sealing a 12-11 win and triggering euphoric scenes.
5. Tactical Analysis: How Lineups Dictated the Game
5.1. Grimsby’s Shape and Pressing
Grimsby’s disciplined 4-1-4-1 functioned like an accordion — compact when defending, expansive when breaking. McEachran’s pivot role allowed both full-backs to time their pushes forward safely. The wingers’ dual responsibility — press and create — exemplified lower-league adaptability.
The success lay in coordination: when Burns pressed Dalot, Vernam tucked in; when Green advanced, McEachran dropped. This synchronicity neutralized United’s numerical advantage in midfield.
5.2. United’s Over-rotation and Structural Gaps
Ten Hag’s 3-4-2-1 required cohesion that simply wasn’t there. The youth-heavy defense left Maguire isolated, and the midfield pairing failed to transition quickly enough to support the attack. United enjoyed 67 percent possession but lacked vertical penetration.
The absence of a true number 10 (with Bruno rested) forced Diallo and Cunha into deeper zones, congesting space rather than stretching Grimsby’s lines.
5.3. Substitutions’ Impact
Ten Hag introduced Mbeumo and Garnacho after 60 minutes, shifting briefly to a 4-2-3-1. The change produced momentum, proving that structure and familiarity often outweigh raw talent. Still, Artell countered with conservative subs — fresh legs in midfield and defensive reinforcement — to manage the closing stages.
6. The Broader Meaning: What the Lineups Tell Us
Football lineups are more than lists of names — they are reflections of philosophy, resources, and risk tolerance.
- For Grimsby Town, this was a masterclass in maximizing limited means. Artell trusted his regulars rather than over-rotate. Each player understood his role, creating a system greater than the sum of its parts.
- For Manchester United, the lineup symbolized a club still seeking identity beneath heavy expectations. Ten Hag’s rotation strategy was justified on paper but exposed how squad depth doesn’t always translate into chemistry.
The match became a parable: preparation, structure, and mentality can overturn gaps in finance and fame.
7. Player Highlights and Post-match Reactions
Christy Pym – The Hero Between the Posts
Pym’s performance was remarkable — steady throughout and decisive in the shoot-out. His double save from Zirkzee and Mainoo late in the game preserved parity. Post-match, he modestly remarked, “We just believed. We knew they had stars, but we had a plan.”
Charles Vernam – The Local Spark
Born near Grimsby, Vernam’s goal epitomized the night’s emotion. His direct running and selfless defense typified the modern winger’s dual burden.
Harry Maguire – Leadership Amidst Chaos
For United, Maguire was both scapegoat and savior. While he struggled early against pace, his equalizing header and vocal leadership kept United alive.
Kobbie Mainoo – Lessons in Adversity
Mainoo’s passing range shone, but the intensity of lower-league pressing reminded him that composure alone cannot dictate tempo. Matches like these are invaluable for his development.
8. Post-match Statistics Snapshot
| Stat | Grimsby Town | Manchester United |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 33% | 67% |
| Shots (on target) | 9 (5) | 21 (8) |
| Corners | 4 | 10 |
| Fouls | 12 | 9 |
| Saves | 6 | 2 |
| Pass accuracy | 78% | 89% |
Numbers confirm United’s dominance in possession and territory — but also underline how Grimsby executed their plan with ruthless efficiency.
9. The Legacy of the Match
For Grimsby, this victory will live in folklore — a modern echo of their 1939 and 1980s cup heroics. The image of fans invading the pitch, chanting into the night, captured why domestic cups remain sacred in English football.
For Manchester United, it triggered introspection. While not catastrophic, the defeat questioned squad balance and leadership. Ten Hag’s decision to rest key players faced scrutiny, though the match offered valuable data on youth readiness.
Football’s beauty lies in these collisions — where hierarchy means nothing for 90 minutes.
10. Conclusion: Beyond Lineups, A Lesson in Spirit
When the final whistle blew, Grimsby’s players collapsed in disbelief while United’s walked off in silence. The contrast of emotions summarized everything. This was not a fluke but the reward of preparation meeting opportunity.
The Grimsby Town vs Manchester United F.C. lineups revealed two parallel football realities — one defined by collective grit and purpose, the other by experimentation and transition. In that tension lies the heart of the sport we love.
As David Artell told reporters afterward, “They had stars; we had belief.”
Article written for [Empire Magazine] — celebrating football’s enduring stories, underdog triumphs, and the power of the lineup sheet to shape destiny.
