Manchester United 5-2 Leicester: Ruud van Nistelrooy makes flying start as Red Devils reach EFL Cup quarters

Ruud van Nistelrooy made a winning start to life as Manchester United’s interim manager as The Red Devils beat Leicester 5-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. Taking the reins after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, the former striker watched his side put on a clinical display with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes grabbing a brace apiece, while Alejandro Garnacho also registered on the scoresheet.

Manchester United responded in style to the departure of manager Erik ten Hag with a clinical victory over Leicester City to make the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.

Under the interim management of Ten Hag’s assistant, former United golden boy Ruud van Nistelrooy, The Reds came on strong, opening the scoring in the 15th minute.

What followed was a frantic first half, which saw six goals scored - including a brace by Casemiro - four of which came within the space of just 11 minutes.

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While the visitors ended that half with a foot still in the game at 4-2 down, they could not come back in the second half.

While Bruno Fernandes scored his second of the match in the 59th minute, he looked frustrated not to add to that, as did Joshua Zirkzee, who failed to find the net. Nevertheless, the home side did more than enough to secure their passage to the next round.

TALKING POINT – GOOD OLD DAYS WITH VAN NISTELROOY?

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Interim Head Coach of Manchester United arrives at the stadium prior to the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Leicester City.

Image credit: Getty Images

Van Nistelrooy looked happy with his side’s efforts and with good reason. But a team often rallies after a managerial reshuffle. United have been here before, and their problems may run significantly deeper than a change of personnel. Whatever happens next, if reports are to be believed, it will not be Van Nistelrooy who oversees the rest of the season, but a win at Chelsea might make a more persuasive case for the Dutchman.

MAN OF THE MATCH – CASEMIRO

With a brace and an assist, it was a good night for Casemiro, whose first effort and his side’s opening goal was an absolute screamer.

PLAYER RATINGS

MANCHESTER UNITED: Bayindir 6; Dalot 6, De Ligt 6, Lindelof 6, Martinez 6; Ugarte 7, Casemiro 8, Fernandes 7; Garnacho, Zirkzee 5, Rashford 6. Subs: Evans 6, Mazraoui 6, Amad 7, Hojlund 6.

LEICESTER CITY: Ward 4, Justin 4, Coady 5, Okoli 4, Thomas 4, El Khannouss 5, Skipp 5, Soumare 4, McAteer 4, De Cordova-Reid 5, Ayew 5. Subs: Vestergaard 5, Mavididi 5, Edouard 5, Buonanotte 5, Alves 5.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

15’GOAL! CASEMIRO GIVES UNITED THE LEAD!

A wonderful right-footed strike from outside the box by Casemiro finds the top far corner of the net. Lovely stuff.

28’GOAL FOR UNITED!

Garnacho doubles the lead as he taps Dalot's cross into the top left corner. A great cross and a great finish.

33’ GOAL FOR LEICESTER!

A foul by De Ligt sees Thomas take a free-kick for the visitors, which fails to find the net, but Bilal El Khannouss follows up with a right footed shot which comes off the post and into the net.

36’GOAL FOR UNITED!

Fernandes slots straight through Leicester's wall from a free-kick just outside the area. United go 3-1 up.

39’GOAL FOR UNITED!Fast and furious here tonight as Casemiro finds the net AGAIN just in front of the goal from a deflection.

48’ GOAL FOR LEICESTER CITY!

Out of nowhere, Conor Coady finds himself in front of the net at just the right moment to claw one back, in the second of four minutes of added time.

59’ GOAL FOR UNITED!

Fernandes nets his second of the match after winding past the keeper and tapping it in from close range.

KEY STATS

Despite winning 5-2, United only had two more shots on target than Leicester - nine to the Foxes seven.

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