Bruno Fernandes’ Actions Immediately After Man Utd’s EFL Cup Loss to Grimsby
Bruno Fernandes’ Actions Immediately After Man Utd’s EFL Cup Loss to Grimsby.
It may have been utter disbelief for Manchester United as the full-time whistle blew; but for those associated with League Two outfit Grimsby Town, it was nothing short of pandemonium – and Bruno Fernandes’ actions as The Mariners supporters stormed the Blundell Park pitch have gone viral.
The mood around the Premier League club’s fortunes under Ruben Amorim was high over the summer: new additions in Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko were a cause for optimism, as were the results on their pre-season tour.
But it’s been a poor start to the season for the Red Devils – they lost 1-0 to Arsenal in their 2025/26 curtain-raiser, drew with Fulham the following weekend before their lowest point thus far: a penalty shootout loss to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup second round.
Fernandes’ Post-Match Actions After Man Utd’s Loss to Grimsby Go Viral
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First-half goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren rocked the boat with United players looking around in disbelief but Bryan Mbeumo’s left-footed strike and Harry Maguire’s late equaliser – via a back post header – squared things in the 89th minute.
That took it to penalties and Andre Onana’s woes continued as he got contact on four of Grimsby’s 12 penalties.
United Summer addition, Cunha, had the chance to win it for the Red Devils by taking their fifth spot kick; but his effort from 12 yards was saved by boyhood Red Chrisy Pym. In the second round of penalties, Mbeumo striking the crossbar concluded the match.
Watch Mbeumo’s missed penalty below:
Grimsby fans, as expected, invaded the pitch to celebrate with their players, while security were quick to rush those in red down the tunnel to the dressing room. Mbeumo, trudging back to his teammates, cut a disappointed figure after missing his penalty.
Fernandes noticed that the Cameroon international – widely regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League right now – was being surrounded and thus rushed over to help him off the pitch alongside security and one member of United staff.
The Portuguese midfielder, 30, replaced Manuel Ugarte at half-time as Amorim’s side were attempting to get back into the match. Heavily involved, Fernandes took 65 touches – one in the opposition box – and completed 48 of his 57 (84%) passes.
Since taking over the captain’s armband from Harry Maguire, he’s been lambasted for his on-pitch petulance – but his latest actions perhaps show that his leadership is something that Amorim-led United need in the position they find themselves in.
In his post-match interview, Amorim insinuated that his players’ performance against the League Two side spoke volumes. “I think the way we played, the way we faced the competition – when everything is so important, I think the players spoke really loud about what they want today.”
When quizzed to go into more detail about his remark, Amorim – widely regarded as one of the best young managers in world football – remained coy. The 40-year-old tactician said: “It’s really clear. I just want to apologise to our fans, and we’ll have a game [vs Burnley] now and then we have time to think.”