RUUUUD AWAKENNING

Bright Van men put Ten Hag era to bed

- JEREMY CROSS

MANAGERLESS Manchester United gave Leicester City a Ruud awakening with a five star show at Old Trafford.

In his first game as caretaker boss, Ruud van Nistelrooy helped United make sure Erik ten Hag will not be missed.

These might have been the same players but the performance, energy and application from them was so very different.

The night couldn't have been more comfortable for Van Nistelrooy and United, who booked their place in the League Cup quarter-finals at a canter.

United scored four goals in the first half for the first time since 2020, thanks to Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Casemiro's brace.

Fernandes added a fifth after the break to render Leicester goals from Bilal El Khannouss and Conor Coady meaningless. Despite making four changes, Van Nistelrooy named a strong looking side which included the likes of Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Casemiro.

The visitors, meanwhile, made wholesale changes, nine in total, and they would live to regret it.