Man Utd 'Make Decision' on Appealing Grimsby Result over Ineligible Player

Manchester United have reportedly made a decision on whether to appeal after League Two side Grimsby Town fielded an ineligible player in last month's Carabao Cup second round clash.

On Tuesday afternoon, the EFL confirmed that Grimsby have been fined £20,000 for fielding an ineligible player in their penalty shoot-out win against United on August 27.

Clarke Oduor, who had joined on loan the day before from Bradford City, came on as a 73rd-minute substitute, but it later emerged that he had been registered one minute and 59 seconds after the 12:00 BST deadline.

In a statement, Grimsby have since confirmed that they reported the breach themselves. "We accept the fine imposed and fully recognise the importance of adhering to competition rules and regulations," a statement from the club read.

"This mistake was not deliberate, and the club acted transparently by self-reporting the breach as soon as it came to light."

Grimsby beat United on penalties. Image credit: Getty

According to EFL regulations, Manchester United have five working days to decide if they want to appeal the decision, but on Monday afternoon, a report from the Mail suggests United have chosen not to escalate the matter further.

It comes after fans called for the match to be replayed.

Manchester United fan and YouTube personality Mark Goldbridge gave his take on the matter.

"Surprising United aren't appealing that Grimsby illegal player thing," he said on X, formerly Twitter. "Morally yeah, it's a big low but we're broke. Being back in that tournament could be worth millions."

"If shoe was on the other foot the media would be going mad that we should be booted out," he added.

Oduor's penalty in the shoot-out was saved by Andre Onana. Image credit: Getty

EFL statement on ineligible Grimsby player in full:

"The EFL Board, acting as the Management Committee of the Carabao Cup, has today fined Grimsby Town Football Club £20,000 - of which £10,000 will be suspended until the end of Season 2025/26 - for having breached the Rules of the competition.

"The breach relates to the Club fielding an ineligible player against Manchester United in a Round Two tie on 27 August 2025. Grimsby Town progressed to Round Three following a 12-11 penalty shoot-out win at Blundell Park.

"The circumstances leading to this transgression are that Grimsby Town submitted the registration of Clarke Oduor at 12:01 pm on the day before the fixture i.e. shortly after the 12:00 pm deadline required in accordance with the 2025/26 competition rules.

"The Club self-reported the breach upon discovery the day after the fixture had been completed.

"Following a comprehensive review of all the evidence and considering prior decisions taken in respect of offences in the League Cup, the Board determined that the issuing of a fine followed precedent.

"The Board further noted the Club’s non-compliance was not deliberate with no intention to deceive or mislead. The Club has since implemented several actions to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.

"The Club will be liable for the suspended sum of £10,000, if they were to again field an ineligible player in any League Competition between now and the end of Season 2025/26."