Manchester United score five to spark life after Eric ten Hag leads Manchester City out of League Cup

Ruud van Nistelrooy made a winning start as interim Manchester United manager by beating Leicester 5-2 on Wednesday to reach the League Cup quarter-finals, while Manchester City lost 2-1 to Tottenham. Arsenal and Liverpool were among the other teams to book their places in the last eight, but Chelsea were beaten 2–0 at Newcastle. A United stalwart as a player, Van Nistelrooy was thrust into the role of caretaker boss after the Red Devils sacked Eric ten Hag on Monday following a dreadful start to the season.

Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim is the man the English giants are aiming to appoint to their position, but they are still in talks with the Portuguese champions to agree compensation for the 39-year-old.

According to reports in Portugal, Amorim will remain at Sporting for the next three matches before completing his move during the November international break.

Van Nistelrooy said, “I'm here as an assistant to help the club. I help as long as I'm needed and in the future, in whatever capacity, I want to help the club build the future.” I am here for this.”

“The reaction from the players was excellent. They deserve credit for a good win and I'm delighted the crowd went home with a good night of football.”

The Dutchman said before the game that when “the players, staff and supporters are united” United “can be invincible” and they loosened their grip by scoring four times in a thrilling first 45 minutes.

Casemiro's superb effort into the top corner opened the scoring, before Alejandro Garnacho swapped in Diogo Delot's cross for a delighted Van Nistelrooy on the touchline.

Bilal El Khanous immediately pulled a goal back for the much-changed Foxes.

Bruno Fernandes' deflected free-kick restored United's two-goal lead, before Casemiro scored his third goal in two games.

Conor Coady grabbed another consolation for Leicester but United were denied just their second win in nine games.

Fernandes completed the scoring when he pounced on a short back-pass to round Danny Ward and score.

United's reward is a trip to Tottenham in the last eight after they eliminated a City team without Erling Haaland.

Timo Werner headed in Dejan Kulusevski's inviting cross to open the scoring, scoring his first goal since March.

Pep Sarr's long-range strike doubled Spurs' lead, before Matthias Nunes scored to bring injury-hit City back into the tie in first-half stoppage time.

But they were denied an equalizer and Pep Guardiola showed where his priorities lie as Haaland remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

Gakpo leads Liverpool

Cody Gakpo scored the match-winner for Liverpool in the 3-2 win at Brighton and continued Arne Slott's excellent start to life with the Reds.

Gakpo has not scored a goal in the Premier League or Champions League this season, but now has four goals in two League Cup games.

The Dutch international was ruthless and produced two powerful finishes from the left wing to his right foot.

Luis Diaz was also on target for Liverpool, while Simon Edingara and Tariq Lamptey scored late for Brighton.

Liverpool are away to Southampton in the quarter-finals in December.

Teenager Ethan Nwaneri caught the eye with a sensational strike as Arsenal secured a 3-0 win over Championship side Preston.

Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz got the other goals for the Gunners.

Arsenal hosted Crystal Palace in the quarters, beating Aston Villa 2–1.

Newcastle avenged their Premier League defeat at Chelsea at the weekend to ease the pressure on manager Eddie Howe.

The Saudi-backed Magpies are winless in five in the league but are desperate to end a 55-year wait to win a major trophy.

Alexander Isak's strike and Axel Disassi's own goal within three minutes of the first half proved decisive at St James' Park.

Newcastle will be hoping to improve their chances of making the last four after getting a home draw against Brentford.