Manchester United are searching for their first win of the 2025/26 season as they travel to face Grimsby Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
After facing Arsenal and Fulham in the Premier League, Manchester United begin their Carabao Cup campaign with a trip to Blundell Park to take on Grimsby Town.
United enter the competition in the second round for the first time in decades, a consequence of last season’s 15th-place finish, which denied them automatic progression to the third round.
Following a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal and a 1-1 draw with Fulham, Rúben Amorim will be eager for his side to claim their first victory of the 2025/26 season amid criticism of their slow start.
With the tie coming only days after the visit to West London, the United head coach is likely to rotate his squad and hand opportunities to several players.
Martínez and Mazraoui injury latest
Unlike a lot of the last campaign, Amorim does not have many significant injury issues to deal with, as Noussiar Mazraoui and Lisandro Martínez are the only senior players currently sidelined through injury.
Mazraoui played 57 times for United in the last campaign and was one of the club’s most consistent performers, playing as a right-back, right wing-back, right centre-back, and once as an attacking midfielder.
However, after just 45 minutes against Leeds in pre-season last month, he was ruled out with what was a minor thigh problem, and has not been seen since.
It’s unlikely he will rejoin the squad in time to face Grimsby, and there has been little indication that his return is close, so Mazraoui may not rejoin United again until after the international break.
As for Martínez, his rehabilitation has been going well over the last few months, and he is continuing to work on his fitness and is lined up to return for United in September.
Changes expected vs Grimsby
Ten of Amorim’s 11 players across his two starting XIs this season have remained the same, with only Amad and Diogo Dalot swapping places between the Arsenal and Fulham ties. However, against Grimsby, a host of changes are expected.
Read More: Rúben Amorim’s stance on Kobbie Mainoo with Man Utd star ‘open to leaving’ this week
New striker signing Benjamin Šeško has not started since he joined the club, but looks lined up to play from the off against Grimsby, while others like Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, and Bryan Mbeumo could be rested.
Kobbie Mainoo is yet to play this season despite his obvious talent, but the Grimsby fixture gives Amorim the perfect chance to allow Mainoo to showcase his skills. At the same time, others, such as Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredricson, could be handed their first starts of the season.
After Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu played back-to-back 90-minute fixtures, the Grimsby tie could also represent a debut for Diego Leon following his signing back in June.
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