Ruud van Nistelrooy enjoyed a successful debut as Manchester United’s interim manager leading his team to a 5-2 victory over Leicester and securing a spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Van Nistelrooy took charge just two days after Erik ten Hag’s departure, emphasizing a desire for entertaining football which his squad delivered. Casemiro opened the scoring with a remarkable long-range strike and later added a second, converting a rebound off both goalposts.
Alejandro Garnacho scored his fifth goal of the season contributing to United’s impressive tally. Additionally, a Bruno Fernandes free-kick deflected off Leicester’s James Justin marking United’s fourth goal. Fernandes later capitalized on a defensive error to add a fifth goal sealing the win. However, United’s defensive weaknesses surfaced when Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss and Conor Coady scored before halftime.
Coady’s goal came after a deflection off Diogo Dalot leaving an easy finish for the defender. In the stands, Sir Alex Ferguson watched the match marking his return to Old Trafford after his recent role adjustment as United’s ambassador. United’s executives, reportedly looking to replace Ten Hag with Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim also attended.
Casemiro’s impact was significant, showcasing his scoring ability with his stunning opener from nearly 30 yards. The Brazilian midfielder has been a significant player during Ten Hag’s tenure, showcasing both brilliance and signs of aging. Under Ruud van Nistelrooy’s guidance, he reaffirmed his value to the team once again. Steve Cooper, Leicester’s manager protested Garnacho’s goal believing Dalot was offside in the build-up.
Without VAR in this stage of the competition, the goal stood though Cooper was furious, earning a booking and a ban from the dugout for Saturday’s critical match against Ipswich. United now face Tottenham in the quarter-finals, set for the week beginning December 16. For Leicester, Cooper’s primary goal remains Premier League survival making the upcoming Ipswich clash pivotal.
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