Carabao Cup

IF Erik ten Hag was watching in Amsterdam he must have been wondering if this was indeed the same Manchester United team.Why does this always happen?Manchester United made a positive start to life after Erik ten HagCredit: ReutersThe Red Devils scored four goals in a chaotic first halfCredit: GettyRuud van Nistelrooy took interim charge as talks continue with Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyCasemiro whipped a sensational opener into the top cornerCredit: AFPCasemiro impressed with two goals for Van Nistelrooy’s menBruno Fernandes thrived in the win over LeicesterThe old boss goes, his assistant takes over and the team transforms overnight.It makes you wonder what Ruud van Nistelrooy was doing on the training ground in the first place.Much of this victory that put the Red Devils into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup was down to the strength of the opposition.Leicester City fielded a team with nine changes and was similar in strength to that which drew 0-0 with Walsall in the last round before winning on penalties.READ MORE ON MAN UTDUnited by contrast were strong, Van Nistelrooy wasn’t going to pass this chance up to be a winner from the Old Trafford dug out.Mind you to be fair to him whoever pulls on a Man Utd shirt nowadays nothing can be guaranteed.So credit Van Nistelrooy for getting a tune out of this lot just two days after Ten Hag was dismissed.The regular boos heard here became cheers and smiles replaced frowns and shaking heads.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAlejandro Garnacho tucked home Man Utd’s second of the eveningCredit: RexBilal El Khannouss pulled one back for LeicesterCredit: GettyFernandes’ deflected free-kick made it 3-1 moments laterCredit: ReutersCasemiro netted his second of the night and Man Utd’s fourthCredit: GettyIt was reminiscent of.. well when they played Barnsley in the last round and won 7-0 but not much else in recent memory.Even Casemiro shone brightly.Ruben Amorim responds to questions about Man Utd job after Sporting match Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.With two goals and an assist he had the home crowd buzzing at the break even if familiar failings at the other end kept Leicester just about in it at 4-2.It is fair to say the Brazilian has not pulled up any trees since coming here but with his first strike he nearly uprooted the goal.Of the 150 goals Van Nistelrooy scored in 219 games for this club only one of them came from outside the box.So he was open mouthed in disbelief when he saw what Casemiro did in the 15th minute as he received a ball from Alejandro Garnacho and then from 30 yards hammered a shot into the top right hand corner in off the underside of the bar.The former Real Madrid star ran to the corner flag and tapped the United club emblem with his hand.Why he had gloves on his hands was another matter.The home side’s second followed in the 28th minute as this time Casemiro set the move which led to it going with a chipped a ball down the right wing.Diogo Dalot fired it to the far post and Garnacho slammed it into the roof of the net.Back came Leicester in the 33rd minute as stand in goalkeeper Altay Nayinidr’s weak punch was fired back past him by El Khannouss.The goals were flying in and just three minutes later Bruno Fernandes free kick was deflected in off James Justin’s head.Onto the 39th minute and Casemiro on target again as this time he followed up his own header which hit both posts to net the rebound.What was going on here, this isn’t normal United, dominating a game.Ah wait, in first half injury time a ball into the box skimmed off Casemiro’s header bounced off Dalot and was turned in by Conor Coady.Conor Coady pulled another one back for Leicester before half-timeCredit: GettyFernandes bagged his second of the eveningCredit: ReutersGame still on, given this was United.Back came the teams for the second half and the roar of ‘Ruuuuuuud’ went out around the ground as the interim boss reappeared.Leicester had been given a lift with that goal and rallied from the restart.Any brief hope they had of a fight back was then extinguished with Caleb Okoli’s sloppy back pass just short of the hour.Captain Fernandes was on to it, rounded the keeper and fired it home from close range.He reacted with a defiant punch of the air.Even he, with his stats, has not escaped criticism but have no doubt about how much he genuinely cares about the club.Van Nistelrooy will be in charge again for Sunday’s visit of Chelsea which had looked daunting.They will go into it, however, with some confidence restored.READ MORE SUN STORIESIncoming boss Ruben Amorim will watch this in Lisbon and know that at least he has something to work with.On the night before Halloween, the ‘Theatre of Screams’ headlines were not needed.Ruben Amorim is expected to be appointed the next permanent Man Utd managerCredit: Getty More

GABRIEL JESUS scored his first goal in 274 days to put Arsenal on course for the quarter finals.But the Brazilian was upstaged by teen sensation Ethan Nwaneri who is becoming the stand out star of the Carabao Cup for the Gunners.Ethan Nwaneri was the star as Arsenal beat PrestonCredit: AFPThe 17-year-old scored a screamer in the first halfCredit: PAGabriel Jesus ended a 25-game goal droughtCredit: GettyAfter grabbing two against Bolton in round three, the 17-year-old underlined his potential AGAIN here by curling home a first half beauty.He came agonisingly close to adding a couple more too before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from the visiting fans just before the end.While this competition may not be the priority for Mikel Arteta, fans will be hoping they can go all the way so they can see more of Nwaneri.The only downside to a highly-satisfactory night for the Emirates chief was that his team did not score more.Read More in FootballPreston had won just three of their last 12 matches but they have been hard to beat since Paul Heckingbottom took over early in the season.They have also done well in this competition – knocking out Championship high-fliers Sunderland and then claiming a Prem scalp by sending Fulham out in an epic penalty shoot-out.  But they were no match for Arteta’s side which showed eight changes from the team which drew with Liverpool on Sunday.The Gunners were in control right from the off with Nwaneri – making only his second start – wasting a decent chance early on.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSKai Havertz scored with a bullet header after coming off the bench in the second halfCredit: GettyTommy Setford kept a clean sheet on his Arsenal debutCredit: GettyAt the other end a cross by Sam Greenwood was nodded over by Liam Lindsay but that was as good as it got for the home side.Midway through the first half a free-kick from the left was swung over by Gabriel Martinelli and Jakub Kiwior put it back into the danger zone.How Arteta dominated Liverpool with stealth Havertz trick before genius Slot switch saved the dayJesus was lurking at the near post and volleyed it past Freddie Woodman in the blink of an eye.Last time the Brazilian was on the mark was the win at Nottingham Forest in late January – so it was long overdue.It was just what the former Manchester City man needed to boost his confidence and nine minutes later he teed up Nwaneri for the second.To be fair though, it was all about the youngster as he took it in his stride and curled home a beauty from the edge of the box.Woodman never moved – he’s been around long enough to know you don’t save those.Teen superstar Nwaneri impressed for ArsenalArteta said after Nwaneri’s two goals against Bolton in the last round that ‘the boy is ready’ – and not many will be arguing with him now.  He is the youngest player ever to score on both of his first two Arsenal starts – and you can only think they are first of many.If North End hoped the visitors might ease off after the break, they were disappointed.Arteta threw on Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz at the interval as he clearly felt there were more goals to be had.And it was the German who put the tie beyond any doubt just before the hour – thumping in a header from Kiwior’s cross.From then it was a question of how many with Woodman making a triple save to keep them at bay and two goals were also ruled out. READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile Nwaneri floated another ambitious effort which hit the top of the bar.  The youngster had made life hell for North End so maybe it was appropriate that 10 minutes from time he was replaced by another youngster Ayden Heaven. More

CODY GAKPO continued his Carabao Cup love affair with a brilliant brace at Brighton.The Dutchman’s double set Liverpool up to cruise into the quarters.Cody Gakpo scored twice as Liverpool beat Brighton 3-2Credit: GettyThe result saw the Reds book their place in the next round of the Carabao CupCredit: GettyBut a late flurry of goals, with Simon Adingra and Tariq Lamptey scoring either side of Luis Diaz, left Arne Slot looking flustered.Whether 2-0 up or down Brighton can always produce a comeback or collapse, but Slot’s lot should have been far more comfortable having been put clear.Gakpo bagged four goals on the way to last season’s final and already has four in two appearances this term.Slot needed another forward to step up after injuries and some rotation – eight changes a piece made here.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe has so little faith in blooper-reel regular Darwin Nunez that he opted to start two central midfielders, Dominik Szboszlai and Curtis Jones, as false nines.It left the Reds with an effective front four at most times, though they struggled for clear cut chances.However the hosts should have taken the lead thanks to a clever clip over the Liverpool back line by Jan Paul van HeckeLamptey found himself alone against impressive keeper Vitezslav Jaros but fired straight at the Czech.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe chance gave Brighton a shot of spirit but Slot’s side largely retained control and started to force chances.Their lack of focal point, with Jota injured, meant openings were harder to come by.Liverpool have put Jurgen Klopp’s sprawling £4million home for sale – after Anfield successor Arne Slot turned it down.It took a smart one-two between Szboszlai and Andy Robertson to find some space, though the midfielder shot straight at Steele before Luis Diaz headed the rebound wide.Gakpo then fed Robertson for a chance of his own, though Steele stopped it with ease at the near post.Having gone for the tappy and technical approach to breaking Brighton down in the first half, Gakpo went for the jugular within 40 seconds of the restart – cracking a thunderbolt from the corner of the box past Steele.His strike here did put Liverpool ahead but it also put a rocket up the hosts.Gakpo got his first early in the second halfCredit: ReutersHe doubled Liverpool’s lead soon afterCredit: GettyWithin moments of the resumption, third-choice keeper Jaros made a stunning fingertip save to turn Adingra’s header on to the post before parrying an effort from Evan Ferguson and pushing Jakub Moder’s long range striker over the bar.Hurzeler’s men were in complete control, but another Lamptey handed Liverpool the initiative once again.The former Chelsea man was robbed of the ball in his own half by Gakpo, who raced away as part of three red shirts against one blue and white.Gakpo opted to square for Szboszlai who got his feet stuck and allowed Steele to get a hand to his poor effort.Simon Adingra gave the Reds a late frightCredit: PALuis Diaz managed to restore the Reds’ two-goal leadCredit: AFPTwo minutes after the first warning, Gakpo snatched the ball from the full-back once more and this time took no risks in squaring to a team-mate. A thumping near-post finish flashed past Steele.Kaoru Mitoma was sent on and tormented down the left but it was Adingra, Brighton’s standout man, who gave them hope of a comeback.Just as Lamptey had slipped up, Jarell Quansah was pickpocketed in his own half. The ball moved to Ferguson whose powerful strike was spilt, allowing the winger to prod home.It had Liverpool frightened once more, but Diaz hit back with an impressive reverse finish into the near post.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat should have been that but Lamptey, what a night he could have had without the silly mistakes, fired in a deflected second for the hosts.Five excruciating added minutes later, Slot could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Though he must face the Brighton barrage again on Saturday.Tariq Lamptey pulled back a late effort for the hostsCredit: AFPLiverpool continued their fine start under Arne SlotCredit: Getty More