Manchester United responded to Erik ten Hag’s dismissal by beating a weakened Leicester team 5-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup in a convincing first game for interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Poor finishing was to blame for Sunday’s defeat to West Ham, Ten Hag’s last game, but United rediscovered their confidence in front of goal under Van Nistelrooy, helped by Steve Cooper making nine changes ahead of Leicester’s trip to Ipswich in the Premier League.

Casemiro lifted a gloomy Old Trafford with a shot from distance and opened the scoring by firing the ball straight into the top corner. Alejandro Garnacho quickly followed that up as he doubled United’s lead, firing home a Diogo Dalot cross from the right.

Bruno Fernandes, goalless for the match, scored twice on the night, his first a free-kick, aided by a deflection four minutes after Leicester pulled the oe back through Bilal El Khannouss. Casemiro then pounced on a rebound and added his second shortly afterwards.

Fernandes’ second goal was another timely intervention with United on the back foot after Conor Coady pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time. The United captain surrounded Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward before firing in from close range.

United, who won the Carabao Cup under Ten Hag in 2023, were not distracted by the speculation surrounding future new manager Ruben Amorim and maintained their impressive cup form. Leicester, meanwhile, clearly has other priorities.

WATCH: All of Man Utd’s goals in Ruud’s first match

Man Utd’s upcoming matches

• November 3: Chelsea (hr) 4.30pm, Premier League – live on Sky Sports
• November 7: PAOK (h) 8 p.m., Europa League
• November 10: Leicester (u) 2pm, Premier League
• November 24: Ipswich (a) 4.30pm, Premier League – live on Sky Sports
• November 28: Bodo/Glimt (u) 8 p.m., Europa League