Sean Dyche at Old Trafford?! Man Utd Told to Appoint Former Burnley and Everton Boss After Latest Ruben Amorim Humiliation

When Rock Bottom Finds a New Level

Even by Manchester United’s turbulent modern standards, Wednesday night was a new low. A club steeped in tradition and trophies, boasting the global profile of a footballing superpower, left humiliated after being dumped out of the Carabao Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town. It wasn’t just defeat; it was history. For the first time ever, Manchester United were eliminated from a domestic cup competition by a League Two side.

The final scoreline told one story — 2-2 after 120 minutes, followed by a marathon penalty shootout ending 12-11 in Grimsby’s favour. But the performance, and the chaotic sight of United’s expensively assembled squad stumbling through spot-kicks against players earning a fraction of their wages, painted a far more brutal picture.

And the fallout has been swift. Calls for manager Ruben Amorim’s head have grown deafening. Among those adding fuel to the fire is former Southampton striker Charlie Austin, who has suggested a solution few would have expected: appoint Sean Dyche, the ex-Burnley and Everton boss, as the man to restore order at Old Trafford.

What Happened Against Grimsby?

On paper, it was a mismatch. United, even in their current malaise, should have breezed past a League Two outfit. Yet, in reality, it was Grimsby who looked like the side with the clearer plan. They pressed with discipline, hit with energy on the counter, and took advantage of United’s sloppy defending to storm into a 2-0 lead.

United clawed their way back — the quality of individuals like Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount inevitably making a difference — but it always felt like a struggle. Amorim’s men looked disjointed, devoid of rhythm, and lacking the kind of cohesion expected of a top side.

The shootout, when it arrived, became a circus. Senior players faltered, fringe figures fluffed their lines, and eventually, Grimsby completed the unthinkable, sending United crashing out to the delight of their travelling fans.

Grimsby Town v Manchester United – Carabao Cup Second Round

The Bigger Picture: Amorim on the Brink

Ruben Amorim arrived at Old Trafford last year with big expectations. Fresh from his reputation-enhancing spell at Sporting CP, where his tactical nous and development of young players made him one of Europe’s hottest coaching properties, United’s hierarchy believed they had found their long-term project leader.

But reality has been cruel.

• Last season ended in disaster, with United finishing 15th in the Premier League and falling short in the Europa League final against Tottenham.

• This campaign has begun even worse: three games, zero wins, and now an early Carabao Cup exit.

• Amorim’s win rate stands at just 35.6%, a number that would be unacceptable at mid-table clubs, let alone Manchester United.

For many fans, patience has run out. The sense is that Amorim has been unable to instil identity, resilience, or structure — qualities once taken for granted at Old Trafford.

What Charlie Austin Said: The Case for Sean Dyche

Speaking on Sky Sports, Charlie Austin gave voice to a growing frustration: United need change, but not necessarily in the glamorous, big-name direction the club has often pursued.

“If it’s my decision, I am going after Zinedine Zidane. I’m trying to convince him to come to Manchester United. Shouldn’t need doing, but at this moment in time, you do. Ultimately, though, there is a different set of managers that you have got to be looking at because of the situation that United are in.

I would take Zidane, but is he the right man for the job at Manchester United as we speak at the moment? Probably not. My honest opinion is that you have to look at the jobs that Sean Dyche has done at Burnley, what he did at Everton. He stabilised the club, at least he is going to put structure in there. What Manchester United need right now is structure. That is something they do not have.”

Austin admitted fans might scoff at the idea of Dyche, a coach known more for pragmatism than pizzazz, but insisted that is precisely why he fits the bill.

“I know that Manchester United fans would look at me and say ‘oh, you said we need Sean Dyche,’ but no, you need structure. That’s a man that will come in and make the team a lot better than what we are all seeing at the moment. Last night we didn’t see a team. We saw players just go out there and do what they want.”

Sean Dyche: The Right Fit or a Step Too Far?

It’s a provocative suggestion. Dyche is hardly the marquee name fans envision when dreaming of a post-Amorim era. But could it work?

• At Burnley, Dyche built a Premier League mainstay on limited resources, establishing discipline and maximising the talent at his disposal.

• At Everton, he stabilised a sinking ship, ensuring survival and instilling a gritty resilience that the club had sorely lacked.

• His teams are known for organisation, work ethic, and defensive structure — all qualities glaringly absent at United.

For a club that has often lurched between philosophies, from David Moyes to Erik ten Hag, Jose Mourinho to Ole Gunnar Solskjær, perhaps Dyche’s no-nonsense approach would represent not glamour, but badly needed grounding.

Did You Know?

• This was the first time in United’s history they were knocked out of a domestic cup competition by a League Two side.

• Ruben Amorim has now presided over United’s worst league finish since 1989, with 15th place last term.

• Dyche himself has a history with Old Trafford — his Burnley side famously beat United 2-0 in January 2020, one of the lowest points of the Solskjær reign.

• United’s current squad is among the most expensive in Europe, with over £900m spent in transfer fees, yet they sit winless after three games.

What Next for Manchester United?

Grimsby Town v Manchester United – Carabao Cup Second Round

The pressure cooker now shifts to this weekend, when United return to league action against newly promoted Burnley at Old Trafford. The irony is almost poetic: a must-win game against the very club Dyche once made his fortress.

If Amorim cannot mastermind a victory, his tenure may end sooner rather than later. United’s board, already under fire for years of mismanagement, will be forced into a decision: stick with a faltering experiment or pivot toward stability, whether in the form of Dyche, Zidane, or another candidate.

Final Thoughts: A Crossroads for Old Trafford

Manchester United’s decline has been a slow-motion car crash, but Wednesday’s Carabao Cup humiliation felt like a new depth. The sight of Grimsby celebrating in front of stunned United supporters was symbolic — the mighty brought low, undone by a lack of identity, structure, and fight.

Charlie Austin’s call for Sean Dyche may have raised eyebrows, but his central point is undeniable: United need structure, not just star power. Whether Dyche is the man to deliver it remains debatable, but the fact his name is even in the conversation tells you everything about how far United have fallen.

For Amorim, the clock is ticking. For United, the soul-searching continues.