Grimsby Town registered new signing Clarke Oduor one minute late, at 12:01 p.m. instead of the 12:00 p.m. deadline on August 26, 2025, a day before the match. Oduor entered the game in the 73rd minute and was the only Grimsby player to miss in the penalty shootout.

Clarke Oduor misses a penalty as Grimsby Town defeats Manchester United in the Carabao Cup second round at Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, UK on the evening of 27/8/2025. Photo: *Reuters*

Following the match, Grimsby self-reported the violation to the English Football League (EFL). As a result, the club was fined £20,000 (approximately $26,000 USD), with £10,000 suspended until the end of the season and activated only in the event of a repeat offense in any EFL competition.

In a statement, Grimsby explained the late registration was due to a computer issue, asserting the error was unintentional and committed to tightening procedures to prevent recurrence. "We accept the penalty, take responsibility, and will learn from this to maintain professional standards," the club stated.

Despite some fans calling for a forfeit or replay, Manchester United confirmed they had no intention of pursuing the matter. According to the British newspaper *Sportmail*, the "Red Devils" considered precedents, such as Liverpool being only fined for improperly using Pedro Chirivella in the 2019 Carabao Cup and Barnsley being disqualified from the 2023 FA Cup, before accepting the EFL's decision.

At Blundell Park on 27/8, despite being the underdogs, Grimsby played the game of their lives. The home side led 2-0 in the first half thanks to Charles Vernam's angled shot and Tyrell Warren's close-range finish. In the second half, Manchester United equalized 2-2 with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire.

In the 18-minute penalty shootout, with a total of 26 shots, Andre Onana saved Clarke Oduor's attempt, while goalkeeper Christy Pym denied Matheus Cunha. The difference came on the 13th penalty when Mbeumo hit the crossbar, giving Grimsby a 12-11 victory.

Grimsby Town is currently fourth in EFL League Two, three divisions below Manchester United. According to Opta's club power rankings, Grimsby is ranked 1,304th in the world, lower than Nam Dinh (996th), Cong An Ha Noi (1,018th), and Ha Noi FC (1,268th), while Manchester United is ranked 28th.

Hong Duy (*ESPN, Daily Mail*)