Man Utd player ratings: Casemiro back to brilliant best in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game but Joshua Zirkzee struggles
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY got off to a winning start as Manchester United beat Leicester 5-2 in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford.
Suddenly, scoring goals looked easy as fans inside Old Trafford screamed “attack, attack, attack” during United’s first win post-Erik ten Hag to reach the quarter-finals.
United played with smiles on their faces as Casemiro netted a screamer inside 15 minutes.
Alejandro Garnacho doubled the home side’s lead in the 27th minute before Leicester drew one back through Bilal El Khannouss five minutes later.
Bruno Fernandes bagged his first goal of the season, albeit via a huge deflection, in the 36th minute.
Casemiro then fired in his second of the evening, before Conor Coady hit on the verge of half-time to add another twist in the tale.
United looked frail at the back at times, but Fernandes made if five in the 57th minute.
Here is how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Manchester United players…
Altay Bayindir – 6
Although United dominated, he looked shaky when Leicester’s chances came.
Flapped with a dodgy save which caused Leicester’s 33rd minute goal. Looked to repeat it with McAteer’s shot just before half-time.
But one excellent second half save boosts him up a bit.
Victor Lindelof – 6
Hasn’t got the partnership with De Ligt yet as they both failed to deal with crosses too often.
But wasn’t really troubled consistently in the absence of Jamie Vardy in what was his second start of the season.
Matthijs De Ligt – 6
More of a physical presence at the back than previous performances but a more potent attack could have caused much more trouble.
Kasey McAteer got the better of De Ligt a few times and he was hauled off in the 71st minute for Jonny Evans.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Looked vulnerable at left-back in moments, with Lindelof filling in at centre-back.
James Justin often had acres of space in the second half.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Back in his beloved right-hand side and told to push into midfield but often left his defensive channel wide open.
Passed back all too often and kept Justin onside in the first half.
But assisted Garnacho’s opener though after collecting Casemiro‘s stunning lofted pass .
Played a part in Leicester’s second after the ball bounced off him to drop for Coady.
Casemiro – 9
The star of the show. A stunning first-half showing saw Casemiro score a brace after a bagging a 30-yard screamer for United’s opening goal inside 15 minutes.
He was involved in Garnacho’s goal too. Came up with a number of key defensive headers in the second-half.
WOW WHAT A HIT FROM CASEMIRO! 🤩
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 30, 2024
Casemiro opens the scoring with a sensational hit from distance as Ruud van Nistelrooy celebrates on the touchline 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/ukCC1kiWXH
Manuel Ugarte – 7
Conceded early fouls but worked hard. Slowly but surely starting to get to grips with his United team-mates after a shaky start.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Restored United’s 2-0 lead with his first finish of the season. Played with a smile on his face, which we often haven’t seen this season.
Dummied the ball for Casemiro’s worldie and scored his second of the evening in the 57th minute after rolling it under Danny Ward before tapping it into an empty net.
Will be leaned on heavily by Van Nistelrooy to produce the goods following Ten Hag’s departure.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Loss the ball a lot in the first 30 minutes. Flicks didn’t come off and hauled off again in the 60th minute.
He’s only played a full 90 minutes THREE times this season.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7
A goal and assist for Garnacho, who attended the Ballon d’Or on Monday.
The winger doubled United’s lead inside 27 minutes after a well worked team move and provided Casemiro’s brilliant opener.
Looked a constant threat throughout and was taken off 20 minutes from time to be saved for Sunday’s clash against Chelsea.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Worked hard but never looked confident on the ball and struggled to get involved in the seven-goal thriller. Never on his toes either.
But the only consolation is that he was involved in Casemiro’s second (United’s fourth).
Trudged off after 85 minutes looking disgruntled with his tail between his legs.
Subs
Amad (60′ for Rashford) – 7
Instant impact from the bench. The youngster almost scored an overhead kick with his first touch of the evening.
Mazraoui (60′ for Martinez) – 6
Hojlund (71′ for Garnacho) – 6
Jonny Evans (71′ for De Ligt) – 6
Ethan Wheatley (85′ for Zirkzee) – N/A
