Manchester United responded to the departure of Erik ten Hag by scoring four goals in the first 38 minutes on the way to a 5-2 thrashing of Leicester in the English League Cup, while Tottenham eliminated Manchester City in the last 16 on Wednesday. Also advancing to the quarterfinals were defending champion Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle and Crystal Palace. Two days after firing Ten Hag, United displayed the cutting edge so often lacking under the Dutchman with Brazil midfielder Casemiro scoring two of the team's first-half goals — one a curling strike into the top corner from 30 meters.
Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes also netted in that early flurry of goals, while Fernandes added a fifth in the 59th. Ruud van Nistelrooy, United's former star striker, took charge of United having been Ten Hag's assistant, and enjoyed what might be his only game at the helm. United appears close to bringing in Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim as the replacement for Ten Hag.
It was a night to forget for Premier League leader Man City, which not only lost the match to Tottenham 2-1 but also lost Savinho and Manuel Akanji to injuries to further deplete Pep Guardiola's squad. Goals by Timo Werner and Pape Sarr in the opening 25 minutes put Tottenham two goals clear before Matheus Nunes reduced the deficit in first-half stoppage time for City. Akanji was injured in the warmup and didn't start the game, while Savinho hurt his ankle and was in tears as he was carried off the field on a st.