United shell-shocked out of League Cup

Manchester United did in no way seem to be reversing its degenerative course under Dutchman Louis van Gaal when they conceded four scores from to third-division Milton Keynes Dons, thus bidding League Cup goodbye.

MK Dons’ Will Grigg and substitute Benik Afobe each scored twice at Stadium MK on Tuesday, sending home the Reds, who were enjoying their second time ever in the Cup’s second round.

The defeat came as the record 20-time English champions had announced the signing of Angel di Maria from Real Madrid in a British-record GBP 59.7 million (USD 98 million, EUR 75 million) deal shortly before kick-off.

“It’s a matter of making errors at the wrong moment. When you see the goals against us, we made big errors in the build-up situations that you cannot make,” van Gaal told Sky Sports.

“You don’t have to forget that we have nine injuries and that we had a very young team. I have seen them trying to do their utmost best, so you cannot expect more of the players.”

Asked if he had a message for United’s fans, van Gaal said, “They have to believe in our philosophy. We are building up a team and you cannot make it in one month, not in one year.

“Of course it’s very disappointing, but I hope they shall maintain their confidence in the club and our philosophy because that philosophy takes time.”

“I’m a little bit in shock, to be walking around and seeing the scoreline,” said MK Dons manager Karl Robinson.

HN/HN