Manchester United 5-2 Leicester City: Three stars make perfect first Rúben Amorim impression, five things noticed

Five things noticed as Manchester United breezed past Leicester City into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Ruud van Nistelrooy chose to start Joshua Zirkzee as Manchester United welcomed Leicester City to Old Trafford in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, their first fixture since Erik ten Hag’s departure.

The tie started well for the interim boss, with United dominating in possession and generally looking calm, although some wayward passes did cause a few nervy moments.

Read More: Player Ratings – Manchester United vs Leicester City (Carabao Cup)

Casemiro, who scored Erik ten Hag’s final goal, opened the scoring, rocketing the ball into the top right corner from 30 yards in a stunning effort past Danny Ward. Then, 15 minutes later, Alejandro Garnacho knocked in the club’s second of the night, emphatically finishing a cross from Diogo Dalot.

However, with United cruising, Leicester were able to pinch a goal back as Bilal El Khannouss rocketed a shot past Altay Bayındır with the help of both posts in the process. However, just minutes later, Bruno Fernandes restored the club’s two-goal lead as his free-kick took a big deflection and stumped Ward as it looped into the net.

Just as Leicester tried to recover, Casemiro popped up again after Zirkzee hit the post from a corner as the Brazilian smashed the ball high into the net from close range, scoring United’s fourth of the night.

In yet another twist, Leicester managed to grab a second just before half-time, with Conor Coady latching onto a confusing moment in the area. As the second half kick-off, neither side made changes, and the visitors came out as the much brighter team, but Fernandes struck next, rounding Ward after a poor back pass sent him through.

#1 – Dalot’s mixed performance

Starting in his natural right-back position for the second game in a row, Diogo Dalot looked shakey in the opening 25 minutes of the fixture.

Following his sub-par performance and shocking miss against West Ham, the Portuguese international seemed a little off the pace, with wayward and lazy passes, losing his side possession on multiple occasions.

He made up for his early errors with a brilliant cross for Garnacho, contributing to the club’s second goal of the night, but right on the edge of half-time, a lapse in concentration saw a free-kick bounce off him to set up Conor Coady’s goal just before half-time.

In the second half, he looked much more sure of himself, but if he wants to maintain his spot, he must make sure he fixes up against Chelsea.

#2 – It’s Garnacho’s season

Within 30 minutes, Alejandro Garnacho already had two goal contributions and was contained to be a threat until his substitution. When he came off, he received a deserved round of applause from the Old Trafford faithful.

After a fantastic individual campaign last season, Garnacho has very much picked up where he left off, with the player now on 10 goal contributions in 15 games.

Who knows if soon-to-be head coach Amorim is watching, but Garnacho just put up the perfect opening impression if he is.

#3 – Midfielders finally emerging

United’s midfield players have not been up to their usual standards this season, with Fernandes and Casemiro drawing particular criticism in the opening games of the campaign.

However, with both players on the scoresheet, it looks like the pair are starting to find their gears again after respectively inconsistent 2024. Like Garnacho, it will give Amorim a positive impression.

#4 – The perfect response

After a reasonably sombre week at the club following Ten Hag’s sacking, this was the perfect reply and show of strength as the club entered a new age.

With Amorim’s arrival date yet to be agreed upon due to contractual problems with his current club, Sporting, it could easily have been a tie that the players had played distracted, but instead, they showed unity.

The group’s leaders, particularly Fernandes and Casemiro, were shining lights on the team against Leicester and setting up a good evening at Old Trafford to help ease some of the pressure on the team.

#5 – One eye on Chelsea

When the XI was released, it was clear that Van Nistelrooy had one eye on the Chelsea fixture on the weekend. Barring any last-minute changes, the Dutchman will take charge at Old Trafford.

With Rasmus Højlund rested from the star and Lisandro Martínez, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and others only playing between 60 and 75 minutes, the interim manager will consider the Chelsea game a tie in which he can really make his mark on the Premier League.

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