Manchester United suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in their long and proud history as MK Dons piled yet more misery on Louis van Gaal.
The new United boss, now without a win in three matches, watched on in misery as his team were knocked out of the League Cup at the second-round stage with a 4-0 defeat last night.
Will Grigg and Arsenal loanee Benik Afobe scored a brace apiece as United were easily downed by a team that began the night 38 places below them in the league ladder.
It was a hugely embarrassing defeat – one that brought back unwanted memories of their last League Cup second-round fixture in 1995 when they lost to York.
But it was nothing more than the Red Devils deserved. A team showing 10 changes from the 1-1 draw at Sunderland never settled all night.
Fringe players like Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa and Anderson were given chances to fight for a place in the first team.
But they all under-performed. Until the dying stages, when the Dons’ victory had already been assured, home goalkeeper David Martin had very little to do.
United handed victory to the League One side on a plate thanks to a shabby defensive performance.
Jonny Evans, captain for the night, made a glaring error to hand the Dons the lead and from then on it never looked like the underdogs were going to lose. Van Gaal may have Angel di Maria to count on to aid his recovery – the British record signing was confirmed just before kick-off – and on this evidence, many more replacements are needed, particularly at the back.
United were already a shambles by the time Evans imploded.
The centre-half, under no pressure whatsoever, passed straight into the path of Ben Reeves inside the United box. The former Southampton player kept his cool and squared to Grigg, who slotted the ball past David De Gea.
There was no immediate response from United. In fact, they were happy to go in at the break just one goal down.
Even the simplest of passes seemed beyond the 20-time English champions.
Hernandez, Anderson and Powell were all guilty of wasteful play and Martin had nothing to do in the home goal.
Defensive vulnerabilities cost United again though as the Dons stunned the home crowd with a second goal.
Evans and Michael Keane were both culpable as Reeves crossed for Grigg to chest past De Gea.
The home fans could not believe the scoreline and Arsenal loanee Afobe piled on the misery with two more clinical finishes. It was a new low for the fallen giants.
