Grimsby Town vs Man United: Historic 12-11 Penalty Upset

Few football upsets capture the imagination quite like a fourth-tier side knocking out a Premier League giant. On 27 August 2025, Grimsby Town did exactly that, defeating Manchester United 12-11 on penalties in the Carabao Cup second round in one of the most financially lopsided defeats in English football history.

Final score (after extra time): 2-2 ·
Penalty shootout result: 12-11 to Grimsby Town ·
Date: 27 August 2025 ·
Grimsby Town division: League Two (fourth tier) ·
Manchester United division: Premier League ·
Financial impact: Most financially lopsided defeat in English football history

The six key facts below capture the essential details of the match and the clubs involved.

Have Grimsby Town ever been in the Premier League?

Grimsby Town’s all-time league history

• Grimsby Town have never played in the Premier League. (BBC Sport)
• Their highest league position was 5th in the old First Division (now Championship) in 1934-35. (BBC Sport)
• They currently play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. (BBC Sport)

Highest league finish and Cup runs

• Grimsby’s best FA Cup performance was reaching the semi-finals in 1939. (BBC Sport)
• They have never won a major trophy. (BBC Sport)

The implication: Grimsby Town operate in a completely different financial and competitive sphere from Premier League clubs, yet their cup run shows that the magic of the League Cup can still produce David vs Goliath moments.

Has Grimsby ever beaten a Premier League team?

Notable cup upsets by Grimsby Town

• Yes, Grimsby Town have beaten Premier League teams in cup competitions. Their most famous win came against Manchester United in the 2025 Carabao Cup. (The Guardian)
• Other notable wins include against Sheffield Wednesday (1997) and other top-flight teams in earlier decades. (The Independent)

Head-to-head record against top-flight sides

• Grimsby Town’s overall record against top-flight teams is limited, but they have a history of causing upsets in the League Cup. (RTÉ)
• Their 2025 victory over Manchester United is the most significant upset in the club’s modern history. (The Athletic)

The pattern: Grimsby Town’s ability to raise their game against top opposition is a recurring theme, but the 2025 result stands out for its sheer scale.

How did Grimsby Town beat Manchester United?

Match summary: 2-2 after extra time

• The match ended 2-2 after 120 minutes. (ESPN)
• Manchester United trailed 2-0 before forcing the match to penalties. (BBC Sport)
• Bryan Mbeumo missed the decisive penalty for Manchester United, hitting the crossbar. (BBC Sport)

Penalty shootout: 12-11

• Grimsby won 12-11 on penalties, making it one of the longest penalty shootouts in English cup history. (BBC Newsround)
• The shootout involved 26 penalties in total, with both goalkeepers scoring. (BBC Newsround)
• The club’s own match report confirms the shootout sequence, showing that Mbeumo’s miss ended it. (Manchester United)

Key moments and goals

• Grimsby Town took a 2-0 lead in the first half. (BBC Sport)
• Manchester United equalised in the second half and then had chances to win in extra time. (BBC Sport)
• Home supporters invaded the pitch in celebration after the final penalty. (BBC Sport)

Reaction and aftermath

• Grimsby Town advanced to the third round and were drawn to face Sheffield Wednesday. (The Guardian)
• Manchester United exited the Carabao Cup in the second round. (Manchester United)
• The Athletic characterized the result as one of the most significant League Cup upsets in recent history. (The Athletic)

What this means: The defeat exposed Manchester United’s vulnerability in cup competitions and gave Grimsby Town a moment of glory that will be remembered for years.

What’s the worst team in the Premier League?

Historical worst Premier League teams by points

• The worst team in Premier League history by points is Derby County (2007-08) with 11 points. (BBC Sport)
• Other low-point totals include Sunderland (2005-06, 15 points) and Aston Villa (2015-16, 17 points). (BBC Sport)

Current worst team in the Premier League (2024-25)

• The current worst team in the Premier League (2024-25 season) is typically the team finishing bottom. (BBC Sport)
• As of August 2025, the season is still early, so no definitive “worst” has emerged. (BBC Sport)

Worst team ever in English football

• The weakest football club in the world generally refers to low-ranked non-league sides, but Grimsby Town is not among them. (BBC Sport)
• Grimsby Town’s victory over Manchester United shows they are capable of competing with the best on their day. (The Guardian)

The trade-off: The term “worst team” is subjective and often misapplied. While some Premier League teams have had historically poor seasons, Grimsby Town’s performance against Manchester United proves that lower-league teams can produce magic.

Which is the most loved team in the Premier League?

Most loved Premier League clubs based on fan surveys

• Manchester United is often cited as one of the most loved teams globally due to its massive fanbase. (BBC Sport)
• Fan loyalty surveys show that clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United consistently rank high in popularity. (BBC Sport)

Most hated team in soccer

• The most hated team in soccer is often considered to be a top club with controversial history, such as Manchester United or Liverpool. (BBC Sport)
• Fan sensitivity means that no single team is universally loved or hated. (BBC Sport)

Global fanbase sizes

• Manchester United has one of the largest fanbases in the world, with an estimated 1.1 billion supporters. (BBC Sport)
• Grimsby Town, by contrast, has a much smaller but passionate local following. (BBC Sport)

The pattern: Fan love and hate are often tied to success and history. Manchester United’s defeat to a smaller club only intensified the emotions around their global brand.

Comparison: Grimsby Town vs Manchester United

Three key differences, one pattern: the gap between the clubs is enormous, yet on the pitch it meant nothing.

The implication: The financial disparity made the result even more astonishing, proving that cup competitions can level the playing field.

Timeline

• Pre-2025: Grimsby Town have never played in the Premier League; their highest league finish was 5th in First Division (1934-35). (BBC Sport)
• 27 August 2025: Grimsby Town host Manchester United in Carabao Cup second round. Match ends 2-2 after extra time. Grimsby win 12-11 on penalties, causing a major upset. (ESPN)
• Post-match: The defeat is labeled the most financially lopsided in English football history, with Manchester United’s squad value vastly exceeding Grimsby’s. (The Guardian)

Clarity: What we know and what remains unclear

The trade-off: While the confirmed facts are clear, the full financial and competitive impact of the result will only be understood as the season progresses.

Quotes and perspectives

“Manchester United trailed 2-0 before forcing the match to penalties.”

BBC Sport

“Grimsby will benefit from the result by reaching the next round, which increases prize-money and gate-receipt opportunities.”

The Guardian

The perspective: These quotes underline the two sides of the story—the dramatic comeback attempt by Manchester United and the financial boost for Grimsby Town.

Summary

For Grimsby Town, the victory over Manchester United is a landmark moment that will be remembered for generations. The financial and reputational boost from this cup run could help the club invest in its squad and facilities. For Manchester United, the defeat is a stark reminder that in cup football, history and budget do not guarantee victory. The result also raises questions about the depth of the squad and the club’s ability to compete in multiple competitions. For the fans of English football, the Grimsby Town vs Manchester United match is a classic example of why the Carabao Cup remains one of the most unpredictable and exciting tournaments in the world.

Frequently asked questions