Manchester United’s opponents for the second round of the Carabao Cup have been revealed.
The Red Devils will enter the competition at this stage for the first time in 11 years after failing to secure European football.
All Premier League teams who don’t have continental assignments are made to enter at this juncture.
The fixtures, which will be played on the week commencing August 25, were drawn on Wednesday night ahead of the remaining first round games.
And United face a trip to a League Two outpost – the sort of tie which has caused them trouble in recent seasons.
Ruben Amorim’s men will travel to Grimsby Town, who qualified for the second round after beating Shrewsbury Town 3-1 on Tuesday night. And their head-to-head record makes for fascinating reading.
United last faced Grimsby in 1948. For years the duo faced each other in either Division Two or Division One, with their first encounter coming in 1894 when United were still known as Newton Heath.
The pair have played 35 times, with United winning 16, drawing six, and losing 15.
That’s right – Grimsby caught United in an era long before their domestic dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Not that the form guide is so relevant, but if Grimsby fans want any encouragement, United have actually only won two of their last 17 games against them.
While it is a huge mismatch in the modern era, United fans will know there are no easy games.
In the 2023-24 season, they travelled to League Two outfit Newport County in the FA Cup fourth round but were forced into some late heroics.
United had taken a 2-0 lead inside 13 minutes thanks to Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo giving the impression it would be a routine evening.
But goals from Bryn Morris and Will Evans either side of the break pegged back Erik ten Hag’s men in stunning fashion.
It took a 68th-minute goal from Antony and a 94th-minute sealer from Rasmus Hojlund to secure their passage to the next round.
More to follow.
