Ruben Amorim hits back at Andre Onana criticism after Man Utd defeat to Grimsby

Andre Onana is facing new calls to be dropped after another poor performance for Manchester United (Action Images via Reuters)

Ruben Amorim defended Andre Onana after Manchester United ’s shock Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town on Wednesday night.

United were left stunned at Blundell Park as the League Two side were two goals ahead by half time following two mistakes from Onana.

The Cameroon international was beaten at his near post for Charles Vernam’s opener and completely missed the ball from a corner which allowed Tyrell Warren to double Grimsby’s lead.

Bryan Mbeumo, brought on as a half-time substitute, scored to give United a lifeline before Harry Maguire equalised in the 89th minute.

The tie went straight to penalties and after a dramatic lengthy shootout, Grimsby won 12-11 with Mbuemo missing the crucial spot kick in sudden death.

Amorim is now facing renewed calls to drop Onana following another sub-par performance but the United manager refused to pin the blame on his goalkeeper.

Andre Onana’s glaring error from a corner allowed Grimsby to go 2-0 up against Manchester United (Shutterstock)

When asked after his side’s defeat if United have a goalkeeping issue with Onana, Amorim replied: ‘With all due respect, when you play against a fourth-division team, it’s not the goalkeeper, it’s everything.

‘It’s the environment, it’s the way we face the competition. We know that we are in the moment everything people will pay attention to everything. It’s going to be massive every detail.

‘We show that performance today, so my players spoke, for me, really loud.’

Amorim also went on to say Grimsby, who are currently fourth in League Two, were the ‘best team’ on the night.

‘In the end, it doesn’t matter if we recover or not, it’s the signs the team gave during the game, the beginning of the game,’ Amorim said.

Bryan Mbeumo missed the penalty in sudden death to send Manchester United crashing out of the Carabao Cup (Getty)

‘I think the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch. The best players lose because one team can win against any group of players, and I think the team and the players spoke really loud today, so that’s it. We lost, the best team won.

‘I think it’s really clear what they spoke, so let’s move on from this day and I think it was clear for everybody what happened today.”

‘The way we start the game without any intensity, all the idea of the pressure, we were completely lost and that’s why I think they spoke really loud.’

When asked if his side are making the same mistakes from last season, Amorim said: ‘I think that is the problem. When you lose but see something new, it’s different. When you see something like today, it’s hard to talk about that.

‘I just want to say I’m really sorry for the fans. The support they gave me, the support that with all the support they help the team. I have nothing to say. I’m really sorry.’