United Beyond Manchester

The post-Ten Hag era got off to a solid start as Manchester United advanced to the Fifth Round of the Carabao Cup. How did each player fare in the 5-2 win?

Starting Eleven

Altay Bayindir: 5 – Bayindir struggled in his first match since the 7-0 win over Barnsley. The Turkish international lacked confidence in his catching and looked rusty in just his second match of the season.

Diogo Dalot: 6 – Dalot’s defending was shaky, but he hit a beautiful early cross to Garnacho to set up Manchester United’s second goal. His misreading of a cross provided an easy finish for Conor Coady just before halftime.

Matthijs De Ligt: 5 – United’s defensive issues were overshadowed by the scoreline, but De Ligt performed particularly poorly. The Dutch center-back had only one clearance and won just one aerial duel while on the pitch.

Victor Lindelof: 5 – Lindelof played the full 90 minutes and was decent, though Martinez is far better in that position.

Lisandro Martinez: 7 – Martinez was the best defender for the Reds on a night when the backline was shaky. He completed two tackles, two interceptions, two clearances, and blocked a shot in his 62 minutes.

Manuel Ugarte: 7 – Manuel Ugarte, alongside Casemiro, was excellent in breaking up play and winning the ball in the midfield. His four tackles and two interceptions show what he is capable of. Consistency is key for Ugarte now.

Casemiro: 9 – Casemiro’s early first-half strike was one of the best goals a United player has scored this season. The Brazilian added an easy second and could have had a hat-trick before the half was over. He was everywhere on the pitch defensively and picked his attacks well in a classic performance.

Bruno Fernandes: 8 – Manchester United’s captain finally got on the scoresheet thanks to a deflected free kick. He then calmly added a second on a defensive error from Leicester in the second half. Overall, Fernandes had his best game of the season in the 5-2 win.

Marcus Rashford: 5 – Despite United’s dominance, Rashford did not have his best day. He failed to score or assist in his time on the pitch, and his 68% passing accuracy was certainly not up to par.

Alejandro Garnacho: 9 – Garnacho was United’s most dangerous player and, after a rough match at the weekend, finished brilliantly in the 28th minute. The Argentine got a free assist from Casemiro’s screamer.

Joshua Zirkzee: 5 – Zirkzee puts in a shift every time he plays, but his inability to score goals is an obvious concern. The Dutchman had just two shots in 85 minutes.

Substitutions

Noussair Mazraoui: 6 – Mazraoui came on and immediately showed the importance of having an attacking full-back. He pushed forward into the attack and was inventive in his brief time on the field.

Amad Diallo: 6 – Amad came on and was lively. He nearly scored an incredible bicycle kick, but the ball flashed just wide of the Leicester post.

Jonny Evans: NR – Evans came on late and did not have much to do with the game essentially over.

Rasmus Hojlund: NR – Hojlund came on just after Evans and had six total touches.

Ethan Wheatley: NR – Wheatley came on for a late cameo and was the third striker used by Van Nistelrooy in the match.

Man of the Match: Casemiro