Ruud van Nistelrooy marked a successful beginning to his tenure as caretaker manager of Manchester United by leading the team to a 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the League Cup, securing a place in the quarter-finals. This win came after a tumultuous week for the club, which culminated in the dismissal of Erik ten Hag due to a disappointing start to the season. Van Nistelrooy, a legendary figure at United, stepped in as interim manager while the club seeks a permanent replacement, eyeing Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon. Reports suggest that Amorim will remain with Sporting for three more matches before finalizing his move during the upcoming international break.
In his pre-match comments, Van Nistelrooy emphasized the importance of unity among the players, coaching staff, and supporters, hinting at the potential for the team to thrive together. United delivered a formidable performance in the first half, showcasing attacking prowess that had been lacking in recent games. Casemiro opened the scoring with a remarkable shot into the top corner, followed closely by Alejandro Garnacho’s goal after a well-crafted team move. Despite Leicester’s Bilal El Khannoussi pulling one back soon after, Bruno Fernandes’ deflected free-kick and Casemiro’s second goal helped United regain control. In the closing moments, Fernandes added a fifth goal, cementing a much-needed victory that marked only the team’s second win in nine outings.
Meanwhile, Liverpool continued their positive momentum under manager Arne Slot with a thrilling 3-2 away victory against Brighton. Cody Gakpo emerged as the standout player, scoring twice with powerful finishes that demonstrated his formidable attacking capabilities. Despite struggling to find the net in the Premier League and Champions League thus far this season, Gakpo’s performance in the League Cup has been impressive with four goals across two matches. Luis Diaz contributed another goal for Liverpool, while Brighton’s late goals from Simon Adingra and Tariq Lamptey proved insufficient to alter the result.
Arsenal also showcased their scoring ability with a commanding 3-0 victory against Championship side Preston. Young sensation Ethan Nwaneri caught the attention of fans and pundits alike with a spectacular strike, while experienced strikers Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz added to the scoreline. This win reinforced Arsenal’s determination in the competition, showcasing their depth of talent and ability to compete effectively against lower-league teams.
Newcastle United, still reeling from their recent Premier League woes, managed to bounce back with a decisive 2-0 win over Chelsea, offering a sense of relief for manager Eddie Howe. After failing to secure a league victory in five matches, the Magpies needed this result to alleviate the mounting pressure. Alexander Isak’s goal and an unfortunate own goal by Axel Disasi in the first half paved the way for Newcastle’s triumph, as they look to end a lengthy wait for a major trophy.
Finally, Crystal Palace backed up their first Premier League win of the season with a solid 2-1 victory against Aston Villa, signaling their determination to build momentum. Goals from Eberechi Eze and Daichi Kamada provided the foundation for this success, showcasing the team’s growing confidence and potential. The League Cup continues to offer teams a chance for redemption and glory, with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace striving to reach the latter stages of the competition amid fluctuating league fortunes.
