Ruud Van Nistelrooy saw his interim game in charge in convincing fashion as the Reds comfortably swept aside Leicester City at Old Trafford. A man-of-the-match performance from Casemiro saw him land a brace alongside Bruno Fernandes and another from Alejandro Garnacho. It was a welcome lift of the recent gloom over the club, which led to the departure of Erik ten Hag.
It was a chastening experience from the visitors though who had arrived hoping for an upset. They had briefly got back into the game in the first half, but that was as good as it got for them. They must now focus on the relegation fight in the Premier League.
Four changes were made from that final loss to West Ham on Sunday. Altay Bayinder made another cup start in goal whilst Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, and Victor Lindelof all joined him in the starting eleven. Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund, and Noussair Mazraoui all dropped to the bench. 17-year-old midfielder Jayce Fitzgerald came into the matchday squad for the first time. Leicester made nine changes from a disappointing loss to Nottingham Forest last time out. Only James Justin and Caleb Okoli kept their spot.
It was a generally low-key opening to the game with both teams struggling to get going. Jordan Ayew had the first chance of note when he saw his effort saved by Altay Bayindir.
The moment that really lit the torch fire was a magnificent goal from Casemiro. He equalised on Sunday from close range but this was out of the top drawer. The ball came to him after a jinking run from Alejandro Garnacho about 30 yards out and he absolutely smashed a piledriver into the top corner. Ruud showing how much it meant to him.
The Argentine was then on the scoresheet himself to the consternation of the Leicester bench. They believed that Diogo Dalot was beyond that of the last defender. It looked pretty close though and he was able to find Garnacho at the back post with a low cross. He tapped it home for his sixth of the season. Bruno Fernandes then had a chance with a quick break but got his final ball all wrong.
It was looking bleak for the away side until somewhat of a gift. Bayindir failed to deal with a cross with any conviction and Bilal El Khannouss was able to tap home. It was mere minutes of a reprieve though. Fernandes lined up a free kick and his shot took a massive deflection off James Justin to wrong foot Danny Ward. Another Fernandes clipped free almost resulted in another goal for Casemiro. His header went over the bar though.
He did not have long to wait for his second. A corner was played short into Marcus Rashford. He crossed into the area to be met by the Brazilian. His initial effort struck the post, but he was alive to tap it home. Unbelievably Leicester then got another one back just on half-time. Conor Coady profiting from a bouncing ball to slot it home.
It was more of a tentative second-half with the away side showing slightly more determination but not a whole lot of clear chances. Joshua Zirkzee had the first real opportunity when his first time drive was palmed away by Ward.
It was Fernandes though who landed the fifth. Utd had shown some neat one touch play before the move seemed to have broken down. Caleb Okoli made a mess of his attempted back-pass to allow Utd’s captain clear on goal. He rounded Ward before smashing home. Sub Amad Diallo almost had an excellent first touch when the ball was headed on to him. His overhead kick was just over.
Leicester almost found another one back when Boubakary Soumare picked it up just outside the area. His first time effort cracked off the crossbar with Bayindir beaten.
With a plethora of changes from both sides, it was always likely that the urgency would drop. Fernandes almost landed his hat-trick after Casemiro chipped a wonderful ball into his path. He was just unable to keep his volley down. Ethan Wheatley became the 250th academy graduate to play for the club when he came on with five minutes to go.
A good win but uncertainty remains how long Van Nistelrooy will be warming the seat for. He is expected to be in charge on Sunday, and perhaps even when Leicester visit here again in a few weeks. It was important to score a few goals to send fans home happy and progress to the next round. He has at least achieved that. Utd will hope to gain ground on those above them when Chelsea arrive here on Sunday at 16:30. Leicester have a huge game away to Ipswich on Saturday at 15:00.
Manchester United: Altay Bayinder; Diogo Dalot, Matthjis de Ligt (Jonny Evans 73), Lisandro Martinez (Noussair Mazraoui 62), Victor Lindelof, Carlos Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Marcus Rashford (Amad Diallo 62), Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho (Rasmus Hojlund 73), Joshua Zirkzee (Ethan Wheatley 85).
Subs not used: Tom Heaton, Jack Fletcher, Harry Amass, Jayce Fitzgerald
Booked: None
Sent off: None
Leicester City: Danny Ward; James Justin, Conor Coady, Caleb Okoli (Jannik Vestergaard 71), Luke Thomas, Bilal El Khannouss (Will Alves 72), Oliver Skipp, Boubakary Soumare, Casey McAteer (Stephy Mavididi 72), Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Jordan Ayew (Odsonne Edouard 72).
Subs not used: Daniel Iverson, Wilfred Ndidi, Harry Winks, Ricardo Pereira, Facundo Bounanotte
Booked: Caleb Okoli (20), Steve Cooper (23)
Sent off: None
Referee: Andy Madley
Attendance: 73,470
Stretty News Player of the Match: Casemiro
