Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has explained the reason why he didn’t watch his team’s penalty shootout against Grimsby Town as they crashed out of the EFL Carabao Cup.
It was yet another night to forget for Man United as the Premier League outfit conceded the first two goals against the League Two side in a fixture that hadn’t been played since 1947.
Even a late comeback through new signing Bryan Mbuemo and Harry Maguire’s late header – an increasingly frequent scenario, it would seem – wasn’t enough to spare their blushes, as the Carabao‘s straight-to-penalties format meant that they couldn’t even rely on extra time.
You already know the rest, and if you were watching on telly, you will have seen head coach Ruben Amorim rocking back and forth as he refused to watch his squad’s spot-kicks. Like the rest of the game, it’s not gone down as a particularly great look.
Unbelievable that a Man Utd manager can’t bring himself to watch the penalties against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup. Where’s the leadership? Cunha got a high five from Onana before his pen… Just get on with it
While there were plenty at home who felt similar reluctance to watch the pens, many supporters have been left understandably frustrated by the Portuguese head coach’s behaviour, accusing him of a lack of leadership.
ADVERTISEMENT
Admittedly, it doesn’t project great optics, especially given all the talk of ‘storms clearing’ and ‘good days coming’ spouted via club media in recent weeks and months.
However, the 40-year-old has at least given some reasoning for not watching his players take a total of 12 penalties, though we’ll leave it up to the fans.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking to ITV in one of the few post-match interviews he conducted on Wednesday evening, Amorim said: “The penalty shootout was not important, if I’m there trying to see if we win the game, it doesn’t matter. The beginning of the game, during the game, that’s what mattered.
“If we win this game, it’s so unfair on these guys – the opponents. So today, the football was fair; congratulations to them. We move on to the next game, and then we have time to decide things.”
You see Amorim’s post-match interview with ITV in full right here:
ADVERTISEMENT
"I think the players spoke really loudly about what they want today."
"I just want to apologise to our fans."
"Something has to change and you're not going to change 22 players again."
As you can see, he went on to explain that he was “not thinking about the penalties, to go to the next stage”, choosing instead to add that his side “spoke really loud about what they want today. It’s really clear, I think it’s really clear to everybody what happened today.”
Being probed further on the precise meaning of this turn of phrase, he told multiple reporters that “a good team can win anything”, suggesting instead that those he fielded were, in the end, merely a collection of players who failed to chime with each other.
Many would argue this has been a common theme not only since he joined the club, but for the last few managers who have taken charge at Old Trafford.
Besides that, he signed off by insisting that there was little he could say to soften the blow of the result, besides apologising to them directly and adding, “something has to change, and you’re not going to change 22 players again.”
Be it as a begrudging Red, an amused rival, or just a neutral, you can either hate-watch or simply study the shocking defeat on what was a historic night for some very happy Grimsby fans down below.
ADVERTISEMENT
Amorim may not have wanted to sit through the penalty shootout, but MUFC weren’t great to watch in regulation time either.
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Ruben Amorim insists he ‘cannot’ quit as Manchester United manager
Danny Jones
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has reiterated that he won’t quit his job at the club and that his departure will only come through being sacked.
The struggling head coach has notched the lowest tally of any permanent manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, and despite a much-needed win against Sunderland this past weekend – not to mention a much more positive performance overall – there are still growing calls of ‘Amorim Out’.
Amorim has registered just 34 points from the 33 Premier League games he’s been in charge of so far,
Nevertheless, as per quotes from The Guardian over the weekend, the Portuguese head coach assured that he will not be stepping away from the role and would have to be sacked for him to leave Man United.
Speaking to the outlet after the 2-0 home win this past Saturday, Amorim said: “No, that is a decision of the board – I cannot do that. Sometimes I have that feeling, and losing is hard, not to create the momentum.
“It’s so frustrating when you create the momentum, go to the next game, [and] something happens. That feeling sometimes hurts me a lot. Also, the players and especially the staff here. But that is not my decision, and I think it would be really hard to leave if I don’t do everything to follow my career here.”
The 40-year-old still has the support of many supporters, but it’s fair to say that many neutrals and even die-hards who would like to believe they have put their faith in this rebuild and the INEOS project up to now are growingly increasingly impatient and doubtful, with plenty of vocal detractors already.
Amorim continued, “It’s a dream to be here and I want to continue here, and I want to fight for this; but the problem is now what makes me suffer is to lose games, not to lose my job.”
He also added the caveat that, unlike those who were unfortunately laid off during the two rounds of redundancies over the past 12 months alone, “you fear [losing] your job when you have to pay the bills, and I don’t have that feeling.”
It’s also worth noting that this is by no means the first time he’s fielded questions of the matter of resignation, having previously worried fans with divisive comments about sometimes ‘hating’ his players and flitting between wanting to either quit or echo Fergie and stay at Old Trafford for decades.
"Sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I want to be here for 20 years."
Rúben Amorim defended his emotional response after Manchester United’s defeat to Grimsby Town but admitted he wants to improve how he reacts 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/nXuN0Ztoee
Despite the United administration assuring that he has their backing, every game feels like it could be make or break for Amorim at the moment.
Although he does have the respite of the October international break coming up, the first game back is against the reigning champions Liverpool away at Anfield – a team he is yet to beat.
In fact, you could also argue that this may only serve as disruption to any kind of momentum they may have generated with the victory over the Black Cats; only time will tell.
You can see his most recent post-match press conference in full down below.
Ok, Man United fans: Amorim won’t quit, but do you think he should be sacked, or does he deserve more time?
Luke Littler announces split from management ahead of 2025 World Grand Prix
Danny Jones
Darts sensation Luke Littler has announced a split from his now former management company, ZXF Sports, with the decision coming on the eve of this year’s World Grand Prix.
Warrington-born Littler has become a superstar in his own right over the past few years, following his incredible breakthrough onto the professional scene, and it appears as though the local lad is now looking to keep moving onward and, hopefully, upward.
Confirming the parting of ways with ZXF online, Littler told his followers on social media that he will now be seeking out “new representation”.
The 2025 World Grand Prix of darts got underway on Monday evening, with Luke Littler’s first match coming against Gian van Veen on Tuesday, 7 October.
Luke Littler has announced he’s parted ways with his management team, wonder if Modus will get him now? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Le7vyowOAt
Sharing a statement this week, the 18-year-old wrote: “I want to say a massive thank you to ZXF Sports, and especially [manager] @Martin_foulds84, for everything they’ve done for me so far in my career.
“We’ve had some amazing times together over the last 5 years, and I’ll always be grateful for the advice and support that’s helped me get to this point.
“As my career moves forward and the schedule gets busier, we’ve agreed it’s the right time for me to take the next step with new representation. Martin has been brilliant for me, and I wish him and everyone at ZXF the very best. Excited for what’s ahead.”
ZXF Sports, which is run by Foulds, heads up the PR for multiple other big darts pros, such as Chris Dobey, Andy Boulton, and Stockport’s very own Nathan Apsinall.
Littler has often referred to ‘The Asp’ as his de facto older brother on the senior circuit, having been under the same representation since 2020, when ‘The Nuke’ was still moving over from the junior scene.
Safe to say their close relationship is one that fans will be hoping remains close.
At this time, it’s still unclear if the North West sports personality has a new team lined up, but you can bank on plenty of suitors having already courted him.
Many now expect his partnership with PR company, Soapbox, to potentially ramp up – or, indeed, for leading elite darts management Modus to make him a marquee signing for the brand.
Their clients include Raymond van Barneveld and regular title rival, Michael van Gerwen.
Once again, the youngster takes on the world no.15 Dutchman tonight (Tues, 7 Oct) at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, England, with the second slate of fixtures in round one starting from 6pm.
Danny Jones -
28th August 2025 
