MAN UTD 5, LEICESTER CITY 2
Manchester United began life after Erik ten Hag with an emphatic win against Leicester City to claim a quarter-final place in the Carabao Cup.
Interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game in temporary charge saw the Reds hit five – something ten Hag failed to achieve against Premier League opponents.
There were four first-half goals, something they last did in December 2020 in the 6-2 win against Leeds United.
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes scored two goals apiece and there was also a goal for Alejandro Garnacho as United played with purpose and with a swagger as well as smiles on their faces.
And at the final whistle, the Reds’ fans chanted ‘Ruud’ as their former player milked the applause of the Stretford Enders as he left the field.
It was a far removed to the final days of ten Hag when performances were laboured and disjointed with 14th place in the Premier League unacceptable for a club of their stature.
Van Nistelrooy was delighted with the win, but admitted they were lucky: “Casemiro’s second hit both posts and Bruno’s goal was deflected.
“We scored some great goals, the first was an absolute beauty from Casemiro and Garnacho’s was a great finish.
“Five goals but the chances against West Ham and Fenerbahce, we created so much and couldn’t finish. All of a sudden we had some luck on our side and that made it a great night.
“The reaction of the players when Leicester scored was excellent – we went straight back into attack and credit to all for a good win and the crowd home happy after a great night of football.”
Van Nistelrooy is happy to remain as interim head coach and wants to stay on as part of the management team when a new appointment is made.
Turkey goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was handed a rare start in van Nistelrooy’s first line-up as interim head coach.
In total, Van Nistelrooy has made four changes to the side beaten at West Ham on Sunday. Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee and Victor Lindelof also came in for Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund and Noussair Mazraoui. The latter pair were on the bench.
Eriksen, like first choice keeper Andre Onana, was not involved. Salford-born 17-year-old Jayce Fitzgerald was named on the bench for the first time.
Leicester made nine changes to the side beaten at home by local rivals Nottingham Forest on Friday.
Embed from Getty ImagesJames Justin and Caleb Okoli were the only players to keep their places. Former England defender Conor Coady captained the visitors who remarkably have won both the Premier League and FA Cup since their last of two victories in this competition in 2000 when they beat Tranmere at Wembley.
After a lukewarm opening, United took the lead with their first clear-cut chance, a stunning strike from Casemiro.
Alejandro Garnacho provided the assist from the left with the Brazilian’s drive from about 27 yards arrowing into the top corner.
It was his second goal of the season, the last of ten Hag’s reign and the first of van Nistelrooy’s.
United doubled their advantage in the 28th minute through Garnacho’s sixth goal of the campaign.
Diogo Dalot fired over a low cross from the right to the far post where Garnacho fired high into the net from eight yards.
The euphoria was dampened when Leicester halved the deficit seven minutes later.
Bayindir punched out a cross but only as far as Bilal El Khannouss who, from 14 yards, fired home a shot in off the upright.
Barely three minutes later and United had restored their two-goal advantage when Fernandes’ free kick deflected off James Justin leaving keeper Danny Ward rooted to the spot. It was his first goal of the season.
United added a fourth goal in the 39th minute when Casemiro grabbed his second of the game.
The Brazilian’s initial header from Marcus Rashford’s cross struck the upright but he reacted quickest to fire past Ward.
Leicester reduced the deficit to 4-3 in the third of four added minutes.
A Foxes’ free kick glanced off the headed of both Casemiro and Dalot before falling to Coady to finish from close range.
After the electrifying opening period, the second half took time to reignite.
United eventually hit their fifth in the 59th minute after an awful back pass from Okoli was intercepted by Fernandes who rounded Ward and virtually walked the ball into the net.
Just past the hour, van Nistelrooy made his first two changes as Lisandro Martinez and Rashford made way for Mazraoui and Amad.
Amad almost made his mark immediately when his spectacular overhead kick from a poor defensive clearance flew narrowly wide – had it gone in it would have been a goal-of-the-season contender.
Leicester were not done as a drive from Boubakary Soumare was tipped on to the bar by keeper Bayindir.
The Foxes made all five substitutes at one fell swoop with 19 minutes left when van Nistelrooy made two further replacements, Jonny Evans and Hojlund replacing Matthijs de Ligt and Garnacho.
The Foxes had another decent chance when a drive from Stephy Mavididi was turned around the post by Bayindir diving full length.
United made their final change with five minutes left as Joshua Zirkzee made way for youngster Ethan Wheatley.