Manchester United’s early season problems were compounded on Tuesday after they suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss to third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the second round of the League Cup, leaving new manager Louis van Gaal still looking for his first win since taking over at Old Trafford.
MK Dons’ Will Grigg and substitute Benik Afobe scored two goals apiece as United’s defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by their enthusiastic lower-division opponents, who took full advantage of playing against a second-string side.
Grigg capitalized on the visitors’ mistakes to score either side of halftime, before Afobe compounded the Red Devils’ misery with two late goals, the first just seconds after coming off the bench.
Photo: Reuters
Dutchman Van Gaal is still without a competitive victory since taking over at United in the close season and will be desperate for British-record signing Angel di Maria to play after the Argentine signed from Real Madrid earlier on Tuesday.
“It’s a matter of making errors at wrong moments,” Van Gaal told Sky Sports. “When you see the goals against us, I believe they were big errors that you cannot make.”
It was United’s first outing in the second round of the competition since 1995 and the first time they have conceded four goals in a League Cup match against lower-league opposition.
Van Gaal left out several first-team regulars, including captain Wayne Rooney and strike partner Robin van Persie, but when asked if he regretted making so many changes, he said: “No, you have to analyze the problem and I’ve done that.”
“We have nine injuries and a very young team. I’ve seen them trying to do their utmost best so you cannot expect more,” he added.
In other League Cup action, top-flight West Ham United lost 5-4 on penalties at home to Sheffield United following a 1-1 draw after extra-time, while fellow first-tier sides Leicester City and Burnley went down 1-0 to visiting Shrewsbury Town and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.
Dwight Gayle scored a first-half hat-trick as Premier League crisis club Crystal Palace, without a manager after Tony Pulis left, enjoyed a 3-0 win at third-tier Walsall.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United won 1-0 at Gillingham, Southampton beat Millwall 2-0 away, Swansea City triumphed 1-0 at home to Rotherham United and West Bromwich Albion beat visitors Oxford United 7-6 on penalties with the teams locked at 1-1 after extra-time.
Following Manchester United’s 2-1 Premier League defeat by Swansea — their first opening day loss at home since 1972 — and a toothless 1-1 draw at Sunderland, they should have welcomed a seemingly straightforward game at lowly opponents.
Yet after making a bright start, the Red Devils found themselves behind.
Jonny Evans gifted the hosts possession in his own penalty area and Grigg punished him with a cool finish after 25 minutes.
Just after the hour mark, the hosts doubled their lead and United were again the masters of their own downfall.
Another misplaced pass was capitalized on by Ben Reeves, whose cross was steered home by Grigg’s audacious chested finish.
Afobe was brought into the action after 68 minutes and immediately scored with a low shot which flew past United goalkeeper David de Gea.
Afobe added a fourth after 84 minutes, bundling his way past several defenders before firing into the corner to complete a famous win for a team who were only founded in July 2004.
“I’m a little bit in shock ... it’s ridiculous and something dreams are made of,” Dons manager Karl Robinson said. “My players and my football club, and the city in general, deserve credit tonight.”
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