- The Red Devils enjoyed a charmed evening at home – and an immediate post-Ten Hag bounce
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Manchester United enjoyed a blistering start to the post-Erik ten Hag era with a barnstorming 5-2 win against Leicester City to confirm their spot in the final eight of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.
Under interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, the hosts ran rampant against their Premier League opposition in the first tie since a sobering 2-1 defeat against West Ham on Sunday.
Ten Hag signing Casemiro opened the scoring after just 15 minutes, before Alejandro Garnacho doubled the Red Devils’ lead inside the first half an hour.
Although the Foxes were able to pinch one back four minutes later via Bilal Al Khannouss and Conor Coady sought to launch a second-half comeback, goals from Bruno Fernandes and a second from Casemiro capped a decisive victory at Old Trafford.
Here, Mail Sport’s Nathan Salt runs the rule over whose star shone the brightest – and which players still have some way to go.
Altay Bayindir – 6.5
Was beaten at full stretch by Bilal El Khannous and then was left exposed by his defenders as Conor Coady lashed in from a few yards out to make it 4-2. Did make a spectacular save tipping onto the bar a vicious effort from Boubakary Soumare.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Again operating at left back, the Argentine provides a calming presence there where others have looked erratic and more uncomfortable. The biggest drawback is he has limited output going forward which leaves United a touch one-sided when attacking.
Victor Lindelof – 6
Was the centre back targeted by Leicester striker Jordan Ayew and the forward did get some change out of Lindelof.
Matthjis de Ligt – 6.5
Always wants to dominate in the air and he will endear himself to his next manager with his bravery and unwavering belief he can win every header. Made some really smart passes through the lines into midfield but he’ll be as disappointed as anyone to have coughed up two cheap goals.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Put his horror miss at West Ham behind him to get an assist when teeing up Alejandro Garnacho. Can count himself unlucky that Casemiro’s backward header inside his own box struck Dalot and was at the feet of Coady to score before he could react.
Manuel Ugarte – 6.5
One of the changes made by Ruud van Nistelrooy and he looked assured, if less effective than he was in the battling display away to Fenerbahce recently. Taking steps in the right direction after that really worrying performance here against Tottenham.
Casemiro – 8.5
Produced a stunning goal from 30 yards to build on his strong display at West Ham, before playing the key pass to Diogo Dalot to set up the second goal. Added a second goal of his own after some penalty box pin-ball thanks to his header striking both posts. Three goals in a week sends a message to his critics.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7.5
Fresh off his trip to the Ballon d’Or awards he found the net after struggling so badly in front of it at West Ham in what was Ten Hag’s final match. Deserves credit too as it was his brilliant bit of trickery to win the free-kick for the Fernandes goal. If he can find some efficiency in front of goal he’ll be an even bigger problem for opponents than he already is.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
He has to wait until late October for his first goal of the season… and then two come along at once. His first was a stroke of luck after a free-kick was diverted in via the head of James Justin. His second was a genius piece of skill to sit Danny Ward down, go round him and still take his time before lashing in from a yard out.
Marcus Rashford – 7
Has quietly been one of United’s more effective performers in the final weeks of the Ten Hag era, but much is made of what he isn’t doing rather than what he is. It was his cross for Casemiro that eventually wound up in the net for 4-1.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5.5
On a night where Leicester were all at sea defensively, Zirkzee again couldn’t profit despite an early chance when through one-on-one. Nights like these are when he needs to build his confidence and yet again the chance to do so went awry.
MANAGER: Ruud van Nistelrooy – 8
The perfect night? Not quite given they gave up two goals but it was damn near close. He managed to get United scoring and put on a show. Who knows how many more times he’ll stroll the touchline as United boss but one thing is certain, this is a night that will live long in the memory.
SUBS
Noussair Mazraoui (for Lisandro Martinez, 62) – 6.5
Got smacked in the face by a Bruno Fernandes effort but outside of that he came in and kept the pressure on down the left side on a Leicester team that looked every bit as disjointed as their nine changes suggested.
Amad Diallo (for Marcus Rashford, 63) – 7
Almost produced a wonder-goal with an overhead kick inside the area. Got warm applause from Ruud van Nistelrooy but it was, unfortunately for the Ivorian, the wrong side of the post. Was bright for the half-hour he was handed here.
Jonny Evans (for Matthjis de Ligt, 72)
Rasmus Hojlund (for Alejandro Garnacho, 73)
Leicester City: Ward 6, Justin 4, Coady 6, Okoli 4 (Vestergaard 71), Thomas 5, El Khannouss 7 (Alves 71), Skipp 6, Soumaré 5, McAteer 5 (Mavididi 72), De Cordova-Reid 6.5 (Buonanotte 71), Ayew 6 (Edouard 72)
Manager: Steve Cooper 5
