Man Utd scolded as a 'bunch of bluffers' and a 'shambles' as ex-star goes on furious rant

Gabriel Agbonlahor didn't hold back when ripping into Manchester United's performance against League Two Grimsby Town. The Red Devils were humiliated in the second round of the League Cup, with the Mariners having led 2-0 before going on to secure progression via a penalty shootout.

It's an early blow for Ruben Amorim and co. after a summer of big spending and promising performances in pre-season. Despite losing to Arsenal in the opening game of the season, United earned plaudits for their gutsy showing, but since then, it's been downhill, with last season's issues rearing their ugly heads once more.

A draw against Fulham was compounded by Wednesday night's loss on the East Coast, with the United team having been lambasted by ex-Premier League striker Agbonlahor. Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "When you say Manchester United now, you think embarrassing. Bunch of bluffers. Not a team, no leaders. What summed up Manchester United was their manager looking away and not watching the penalty shootout."

Amorim was spotted with his head in his hands for most of the penalty shootout, refusing to watch as his team huffed and puffed against the fourth division side. The former Aston Villa striker continued: "How can you as a manager? I get it when you're in a FA Cup final or a Champions League knockout game and it's the last penalty and managers look away, for the whole penalty shootout he looks away. That team is a shambles and it doesn't matter who they sign."

However, Agbonlahor's harshest words were reserved for new summer signing Benjamin Sesko, who waited until United's 10th penalty to step up to the spot. While he might've scored, Agbonlahor believes the £74million signing acted in a "cowardly" fashion.

He added: "Your star striker was probably waiting for the Manchester United groundsman to turn up to Grimsby and take the penalty. He was 10th in line before the keeper. How can your star striker let all the defenders take a penalty before you, then he takes one and scores it? That shows to me that he's a coward as well."

Amorim will be desperate for a reaction this weekend when Burnley make the short trip over the Pennines to Old Trafford. Unlike their opponents though, Burnley have won a Premier League fixture this season and have found the back of the net twice, compared to United's solitary goal (which was scored by Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz anyway). Anything but three points at the weekend will leave Amorim under even more pressure than he already is.