Five things we learnt as United plummet to new depths in abysmal defeat to Grimsby

Manchester United travelled to Blundell Park to take on Grimsby Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Andre Onana was recalled for the first time this season with Tyler Fredricson and Ayden Heaven also making their first starts of the season.

Harry Maguire captained the side with Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot as the wing backs.

Kobbie Mainoo started amidst significant rumours around his future. Manuel Ugarte partnered him in the middle of the park.

Amad began the evening at number 10 alongside Matheus Cunha and there was a first ever start for new signing Benjamin Sesko.

Here are five things we learnt from the match.

Andre Onana falls flat again

Altay Bayindir started the season by making a horrible error versus Arsenal in the league.

Onana came into the team aiming to remind Ruben Amorim that he has been the number one keeper the last two seasons and should retain his spot. He failed miserably.

Everything that has made the Cameroonian a joke figure amongst opposition fans was on show tonight. Poor kicking, erratic decision making and an ability to spread fear throughout a defence.

The first Grimsby goal demonstrated his poor technique as he was easily beaten at his near post.

The second shone a light on Onana’s biggest weakness, his concentration. The ball was fired into the box and he was totally lost as he missed the ball and two Grimsby players could have tapped the ball into an empty net.

There are rumours Senne Lammens is closing in on a move to Old Trafford and not many fans would complain if he became the number one choice right off the bat.

One could even argue that Tom Heaton deserves a genuine shot at a starting berth should no keeper arrive before deadline day.

Tyler Fredricson struggles

It seems harsh to pick on a player who is so young and inexperienced when substantially older players failed around him.

Nonetheless, Fredricson looked totally out of his depth in his first appearance of the season.

He gave Charles Vernam way too much space on the Mariners first goal and was all too often bullied off the ball.

You cannot judge any player, especially a young player on one game but this performance will not have convinced Amorim that he is ready for regular minutes in the senior team.

United have no confidence

The English cup system prides itself on upsets and the ability of any professional team across the pyramid to impress in one game.

Usually the formula is that they sit deep, defend like lions and hit on the counter.

Grimsby tore up the script in the first half and beat United in every department that can be measured.

United were slow and laborious in possession and struggled to create any real chances against the League Two team.

Clearly the Red Devils possess much more talented individuals but due to the lack of confidence infecting the team, someone with little idea of football could not be blamed for thinking it was the team in red who played their football in the fourth division.

Bryan Mbeumo gets his first goal

The Cameroonian has impressed during his first few matches at United but he had to make do with a place on the bench tonight.

Due to United losing 0-2 at half-time, he was brought on at the start of the second half and looked dangerous.

He scored his first goal for the club to give the Red Devils hope when he ran at the home side’s defence and slotted in a fine finish.

United fans will hope this is the first of many this season in a rare positive on a dreary night.

Harry Maguire comes up big again

Despite United spending hundreds of millions on attackers, Harry Maguire continues to have big moments in attack.

He grabbed a last-grasp equaliser heading in from a corner like he so often did last season.

The Englishman did the same to Leicester and Olympique Lyonnais last season and Grimsby Town were the latest side to suffer his threatening ability from set pieces.

Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

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