Once again, Manchester United left the field to what sounded like boos. In fact the noise was “Ruuuud”, the familiar fan tribute to Ruud van Nistelrooy, the revered former striker who has been placed in interim charge following the sacking of Erik ten Hag and who stood arms raised in front of the Stretford End after the final whistle.

In his playing career Van Nistelrooy was all about goals – 150 for United in just 219 games for them – and if there is one mantra he took into this tie it was an old United one. One he knows all about. One that has been a familiar complaint aimed at every manager who has followed Sir Alex Ferguson: attack, attack, attack.

United attacked here – scoring five goals – as they progressed into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup in a flood of relief even though they must now visit Tottenham Hotspur in the last eight.

That was an emphatic big tick as they looked far more positive, far more threatening albeit against a weak Leicester City with greater priorities this campaign. Such as survival.

But there was also a big cross. A big failure and a familiar one at that with United looking like they could concede at any time and amid the feel-good factor brought back by the change of manager with Ten Hag’s dismissal – an inevitability as the pressure is released – there was a sobering reality.

United must improve defensively

United will have to play far better than this if they are to defeat Chelsea on Sunday and get their Premier League season back on track.

In truth, Ruben Amorim cannot arrive at Old Trafford quickly enough although it now appears the Sporting head coach will remain with the Portuguese club until the international break.

That may change, and United are still in negotiations, but if not then Van Nistelrooy will have three more matches in the dug-out and will have to work on making this team far more coherent. But at least he will believe he is respecting a tradition and a demand for goals.

Later he talked about having a slice of luck – luck that had deserted Ten Hag with United missing buckets of chances – but fortune favours the brave and they were far more positive.

United have been here before post-Ferguson – and Ferguson was in attendance in the directors’ box – with another famed former attacker in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and there was a similar vibe to this encounter as to his first in charge when United again scored five goals, in beating Cardiff City 5-1, in 2018 following Jose Mourinho’s sacking.

Flying Solskjaer start a salutory lesson

Solskjaer went on to win his first five games, the first United manager to do so since Sir Matt Busby, and the club got caught up in the groundswell of demands for him to get the job – which then happened. They have already not fallen into that same trap having moved so swiftly for Amorim but there must be deep frustration that they may have to wait.

Obviously, we searched for clues as to what effect Van Nistelrooy could have had but after just one training session, and a walk through on the morning of this game, he simply did not have time beyond trying to harness the inevitably improved mood.

Certain players, most noticeably Bruno Fernandes, who scored twice, his first goals of the season, appeared liberated. But Joshua Zirkzee? Discuss. Van Nistelrooy tried him in three different positions; none of them worked.

This must also be viewed through the prism of Leicester manager Steve Cooper making 10 changes from the team that lost last Friday against Nottingham Forest and who appeared like what they were: a second-string thrown together.

And yet they caused United problems, and analysis of both their goals will centre on defensive errors, sloppy individual mistakes that smelt of the same old, same old and will be a key issue that Amorim – and more immediately Van Nistelrooy – must address.

How, also, can United score five goals at home, and threaten to score even more, and yet still give the aura of a team not fully in control?

At no point did they dominate and consistently subdue Leicester who always sniffed they would have a way back. And this is a team 15th in the table. But, hang on, United are only 14th themselves which shows the extent of their plight.

It was one of those performances, for example, from Casemiro who also scored two goals – one quite exceptional one – and yet was at fault for Leicester’s second and did not dominate the midfield the way he and Manuel Ugarte surely had to against Oliver Skipp and Boubakary Soumare.

Ugarte has previously played under Amorim at Sporting, is 23 and is a £50 million new arrival so will have a future. Casemiro? At 32 that appears less of a certainty, but as he struck a 30-yard shot that dipped deliciously to clip the crossbar on its way in then it looked like an emphatic yes.

Especially when he reacted sharply to score again as he followed up when his header hit the post. But then he was badly at fault as he got in Matthijs de Ligt’s way with a free-kick rebounding off Diogo Dalot to let Conor Coady side-foot in.

Even earlier Altay Bayindir – in goal with Andre Onana not in the squad – punched weakly, allowing Bilal El Khannouss to beat him.

Before that Alejandro Garnacho had thrashed in Dalot’s cross and Fernandes had scored his first with a deflected free-kick, but United never really took over. Not even when Fernandes was gifted a second as he ran on to an under-hit back pass by Caleb Okoli.

To illustrate that Bayindir had to superbly tip Soumare’s shot on to the crossbar. The goals were back for United and Van Nistelrooy had his day – and may get others – but they need their new head coach. And fast.

10:10 PM GMT

Amorim appointment on ice?

It looks increasingly as though this won’t be Van Nistelrooy’s final game in charge of United, as the club are unlikely to have Ruben Amorim in situ by Sunday. Indeed he may not arrive at Old Trafford until after the next international break. Our reporters bring you the latest on this developing story. 
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09:44 PM GMT

FT: Manchester United 5 Leicester 2

There goes the whistle. A convincing display by Van Nistelrooy’s side and the Dutchman is serenaded off the field by the United faithful. In truth a much-changed Leicester side offered meek resistance and scant cutting edge – even if they did score twice – but you can only beat what is in front of you and United did that in some style.

There were strong performances by Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Garnacho and that will give them confidence ahead of the visit of Chelsea this weekend. For Leicester, the impression is their assignment against Ipswich on Saturday took precedence given the nine changes Steve Cooper made. A one-sided affair but no less entertaining for it.

09:40 PM GMT

90 +1mins: Manchester United 5 Leicester 2

United launch a late attack down the right and Fernandes picks out Casemiro, who is on a hat-trick. His effort would have been spectacular had it been on target, unleashed as it was from fully 30 yards out, but unfortunately for it was about 30 yards off target.

09:36 PM GMT

86 mins: Manchester United 5 Leicester 2

Leicester have ventured into the United half with the lively Stephy Mavididi trying to conjure something to give the score a veneer of respectability. A neat move in the area works some room for a shot but his strike is delayed a fraction too long and it loops up harmlessly off former Leicester defender Jonny Evans into the arms of Bayindir. 
The visitors then earn a free-kick on the left, but Vestegaard, for all his aerial ability, can only head wide.

09:30 PM GMT

81 mins: Manchester United 5 Leicester 2

The match has become a procession. Leicester know the game is up and would take the whistle now if it was offered to them. Bruno Fernandes tries his luck from range but is closed down at the last second. The Portuguese is pulling the strings and almost crowns a fine second-half display with a lovely goal. Casemiro chips a delightful ball through to United’s No 8 who meets it on the volley on the run. Fernandes can’t keep it on target and he beats the ground in frustration.

09:26 PM GMT

73 mins: Manchester United 5 Leicester 2

Substitutions are being made in a flurry now. 
Leicester:
Jannik Verstegaard ON. Caleb Okoli OFF.
Stephy Mavididi ON. Kasey McAteer OFF.
Facundo Buonanotte ON. Bobby Decordova Reid OFF
Odsonne Edouard ON. Jordan Ayew OFF.
Will Alves ON. Bilal El Kannouss OFF. 

Man Utd:
Noussair Mazraoui ON. Lisandro Martinez OFF.
Amad Diallo ON. Marcus Rashford OFF.
Rasmus Hojlund ON. Alejandro Garnacho OFF.
Jonny Evans ON. Matthijs De Ligt OFF.

09:17 PM GMT

69 mins: Manchester United 5 Leicester 2

This is a refreshingly open game and Leicester are unlucky not to have a third. It would have been a collector’s item too. Boubakary Soumare it is who tries his luck from range and his fierce attempt is brilliantly tipped on to the bar by Bayindir.

09:15 PM GMT

65 mins: Manchester United 5 Leicester 2

That was almost a very special goal by Amad Diallo. After Fernandes’ cross is headed back across goal by Dalot, and kept alive by substitute Noussair Mazraoui, the winger uncoils a dexterous bicycle kick which flies narrowly over the bar.

09:08 PM GMT

59 mins: Manchester United 5 Leicester 2

GOAAAL!
At the other end Garnacho finds some space down the right and plays the ball inside to Joshua Zirkzee, who fires straight at Ward. But moments later it is 5-2. A terrible backpass by Okoli is seized upon by Fernandes, who bedazzles the goalkeeper with some impudent footwork and then fires in from point-blank range, after toying with the last man on the line. Van Nistelrooy can enjoy the next half an hour now.

09:04 PM GMT

54 mins: Manchester United 4 Leicester 2

Leicester are still knocking at the door and if United aren’t careful they will concede a third. Steve Cooper’s men are finding plenty of joy down the right and three quick-fire attacks have resulted in either a free-kick or a corner, which the hosts have had to scramble clear.

08:55 PM GMT

48 mins: Manchester United 4 Leicester 2

Leicester have started the second half like they mean business and James Justin gets a chance to cross from the right. Lisandro Martinez slides in to stop the attack but Justin is back there again moments later. The ball finds its way to Ayew in the area but the forward’s shot is blocked.

08:41 PM GMT

Half-time: Manchester United 4 Leicester 2

And breathe! Well that was an eventful half of football. Admittedly, this is a below-strength Leicester side but nonetheless United have played brilliantly. It’s as though a weight has been lifted from their shoulders and they are playing with the handbrake off. They look as though they are going to score every time they go forward. In fact, they pretty much have. What are the odds on Van Nistelrooy for next permanent manager?

08:36 PM GMT

45 +3mins: Manchester United 4 Leicester 2

GOAAAL! 
Leicester are on the scoresheet again courtesy of some abject defending by United. Thomas wafts a free-kick in and the ball bounces off Rashford and Dalot, before falling invitingly to Conor Coady who applies a simple finish from close range. The former Liverpool trainee’s celebrations are quiet and muted.

08:32 PM GMT

44 mins: Manchester United 4 Leicester 1

Forty-four minutes in and suffice to say there hasn’t been a feeling quite like this around Old Trafford this season. Those aren’t boos that greeted the fourth goal, and Casemiro’s second of the night, they were lusty chants of “Ruud”. Van Nistelrooy looks a very happy bunny on the touchline. However long his interim spell lasts, he will hope for more of this.

08:30 PM GMT

43 mins: Manchester United 4 Leicester 1

That should have been five. United are playing like men possessed and as another attack develops Garnacho unleashes a fierce strike from 15 yards out which only just clears the crossbar. Van Nistelrooy applauds the South American and is urging his side to pour forward again.

08:27 PM GMT

39 mins: Manchester United 4 Leicester 1

GOAAAL!! 
What must Ten Hag be thinking? A corner for United is played short for Rashford, who picks out Casemiro in the area. The Brazilian’s glancing header rebounds off both posts but Casemiro reacts first to blast home from close range.

08:25 PM GMT

36 mins: Manchester United 3 Leicester 1

GOAAAL!
It’s raining goals at Old Trafford. El Khannouss is punished for a cheap foul on the edge of the area. Bruno Fernandes takes the free-kick from 25 yards out and it takes a cruel deflection off James Justin, completely changes direction and leaves Danny Ward with no chance.

08:21 PM GMT

33 mins: Manchester United 2 Leicester 1

GOAAAL! 
But wait a moment, there’s another team playing.
Steve Cooper has been apoplectic ever since that second goal, berating the match officials as is his wont. 
He’s happier now though. A free-kick awarded for a silly tackle from behind from Matthijs De Ligt results in a cross from the right which Bayindir makes a meal of. He flaps at it and, from the edge of the area, Bilal El Khannouss fires a low effort with the outside of his right foot, which fizzes in off the far post. Game on!

08:15 PM GMT

28 mins: Manchester United 2 Leicester 0

GOAAAL! 
Van Nistelrooy must be thinking this management lark is easy. United have doubled their lead with a lovely passing move. Casemiro sends a searching pass into the path of the marauding Diogo Dalot, who crosses towards the far post, where Garnacho arrives to apply a firm right-footed strike into the roof of the net. Swashbuckling stuff!

08:10 PM GMT

20 mins: Manchester United 1 Leicester 0

United have the bit between their teeth at the moment. It’s amazing what a difference a goal makes to confidence. Garnacho looks lively, Fernandes is in the thick of things and Rashford almost played Garnacho in with a lovely pass, only for the Argentine to wander offside. If you’re wondering how good that opening goal was, by the way, take a look at this:

08:03 PM GMT

15 mins: Manchester United 1 Leicester 0

GOAAAL!
That is an absolute worldy from Casemiro! Garnacho weaves his way inside James Justin on the left wing and lays the ball back for Fernandes, but the Portuguese dummies the layback and Casemiro takes a touch, sets his sights and then lets fly with glorious 25-yard strike into the top right-hand corner. The crowd are up now alright.

07:58 PM GMT

9mins: Manchester United 0 Leicester 0

Leicester provide the first shot on goal. After the visitors raid down the right flank, the chance appears to have died but United fail to clear their lines and the ball falls to Jordan Ayew just outside the area. The Ghanaian tries his luck from 20 yards out but that is simple enough for Altay Bayindir.

07:54 PM GMT

7 mins: Manchester United 0 Leicester 0

The Old Trafford crowd is pretty lively tonight with United fans eager to get behind their team and their former goalscoring hero Van Nistelrooy. United were in there, as Joshua Zirkzee broke away following a defensive slip. Zirkzee, though, dallied too long on the ball and as he tried to work his way into the area lost possession cheaply with Bruno Fernandes letting him know how he felt about that squandered opportunity in no uncertain terms.

07:49 PM GMT

Cries of “Ruud” ring around Old Trafford

Cries of “Ruud” – which always sounds like boo – ring out at Old Trafford as Manchester United’s interim head coach Ruud Van Nistelrooy walks down the touchline prior to kick-off. The former striker looks a little moved as he responds by clapping the home fans. Gone is the tracksuit he wore as Erik ten Hag’s assistant. Instead he is dressed in black, including a long coat, and looks the part of a manager - however brief his time in charge will be – as he takes his seat.

07:46 PM GMT

1 min: Manchester United 0 Leicester 0

Referee Andy Madley blows his whistle to start the match.

07:34 PM GMT

Van Nistelrooy: ‘I want to see attacking football’

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking ahead of the match.
When asked how he flet about being interim head coach tonight he said: “I have mixed feelings, I am sad to see Erik go, he got me here, in my first conversations with him he told me how much he cared for Man United, how much he wanted to fight for the team, but now I am asked to help guide the club and to help to build this football club back up.”
On the team talk: “The team talk was all about giving the supporters something to cheer about, with lots of possession and attacking football.”
On the lineup: “It has to do with the squad, we’re very thin, we have some injury problems and big games coming up so we had to look at that as well and get the fittest and strongest team tonight.”
On what he want to see from his players: “The most important thing is passion, energy play together and get the crowd going, have a great night of football. We have the qualities and experience to do so, especially after a disappointing result at West Ham. We were knocked down but that is what United is all about, getting back up, fighting and playing attacking, winning football.”

07:19 PM GMT

No VAR in use tonight

For all of United’s travails this season they did give a good account of themselves at the London Stadium on Sunday and but for better finishing would have been out of sight by half-time. If they can show some composure in front of goal they should have enough to put Leicester away, given how much the visitors have rotated their squad. And crucially there can be no VAR controversy tonight as it is not being used at this stage of the competition.

06:55 PM GMT

Garnacho, Bruno, Rashford and Zirkzee start

Manchester United’s team is as follows:

United have five different starters to the team that lined up in the previous round and four changes to Sunday’s defeat by West Ham, with Altay Biyindir, Victor Lindelof, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee coming in for Andre Onana, Noussair Mazraoui, Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund respectively.

And here’s how Leicester shape up:

For Leicester, it’s a case of wholesale changes. Only two players remain from Friday’s 3-1 loss against Nottingham Forest, with James Justin and Caleb Okoli retaining their places in defence.

06:47 PM GMT

What happened last time?

United came through their last round with a comfortable 7-0 win over Barnsley which featured two goals apiece of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho as Ten Hag deployed a reasonably strong line-up featuring Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Christian Eriksen, Rashford and Garnacho. The Argentine has been on decent form of late, and was unlucky not to score against West Ham on Sunday, crashing a shot against the bar in the opening five minutes. No doubt his presence would be a welcome inclusion in the eyes of the home faithful, who could do with something to cheer about.

Leicester made heavier weather of their tie with Walsall but squeaked through on penalties after a goalless draw at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

04:57 PM GMT

Ready for a Ruud awakening?

Good evening. Manchester United host Leicester City this evening in the fourth round of the League Cup and the first match of the post-Erik ten Haag era. The Dutchman was sacked on Monday following his side’s fourth Premier League defeat of the season – a 2-1 defeat by West Ham United – after only nine matches.
Ten Hag’s deputy and fellow Dutchman, Ruud van Nistelrooy, takes charge this evening and until such a time as United appoint a successor – an undertaking they are attempting to complete in short order. The favourite for the Old Trafford hotseat is Ruben Amorim, head coach of Sporting CP, who yesterday disclosed United were willing trigger his €10 million (£8.3 million) release clause.
It is expected that matters will be settled by the time Chelsea visit on Sunday but, assuming the Portuguese accepts the proposal, it is not yet known whether or not he will be in the dugout for that match.
In the meantime, Van Nistelrooy has issued a rallying cry for United to become, well, united – starting with their encounter with Leicester this evening. “Now is the time for everyone at the club to work together, give everything and turn this season around while we have time,” he said. “From my experiences as both a player and a coach here, I can say for sure that when players, staff and supporters pull together, Manchester United can be unstoppable.”

It is expected that there will be a degree of rotation employed this evening, given that United are languishing in 14th place in the table.
But then again, this may be Van Nistelrooy’s only match in charge and so he might want to go strong. Also, lest we forget – and were ten Hag still in situ he would surely be reminding us – United are the holders of this competition, having beaten Newcastle United 2-0 at Wembley in February, and this might be their best chance of silverware.
Leicester should prove a good match for United, given that they are only two points behind them in the table. Unlike United, they have scored in every league match so far this season, but they will also have half an eye on Saturday’s trip to Ipswich – a genuine chance of collecting a third win of the campaign.
Left-back Victor Kristiansen misses out through injury but Danny Ward is expected to replace Mads Hermansen in goal after his penalty heroics in the last round – the Welshman saved three spot-kicks in the shoot-out against Walsall.
We’ll have more team news to follow shortly.