Pathetic! Van Gaal humiliated as MK Dons crush United

Louis van Gaal’s wait for his first win as Manchester United boss goes on following a humiliating, crushing 4-0 humbling at the hands of League One outfit Milton Keynes Dons, sending the Red Devils tumbling out of the League Cup at the second round stage.

Van Gaal must take some of the responsibility for this defeat – with the wrong team selection providing a huge boost to United’s Buckinghamshire hosts. He would, however, have rightly expected far more of his charges.

The Dutchman named experience in the likes of skipper Jonny Evans, Shinji Kagawa, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck, but - in wishing to make changes - arguably named the wrong younger players, with James Wilson, who showed much promise as a substitute, and Under-21s skipper Tom Thorpe named on the bench.

Fans now have to endure the press talking about this being a major upset. The scoreline, of course, was catastrophic – but Sky claiming that MK Dons were seeking to do “the impossible” disrespects a very capable League One club, and overplays the abilities of many of United’s flagging fringe players. In truth, it simply proved all too easy for Karl Robinson's men.

A bright start from the visitors, in which Welbeck posed a threat and Nick Powell flashed a long-range effort narrowly wide, was the only shining point on a woefully poor evening, aside – of course – for United’s exceptional travelling support, who were on fine form throughout despite the garbage served up by many of United’s highly-paid underperformers.

The deadlock was broken on 25 minutes following a horrendous mistake from Evans. The Ulsterman, making his first appearance of the season, attempted a highly dangerous, low pass out of defence, which was seized upon by Reeves. He rolled the ball to Will Grigg, who calmly slotted into an empty net. It was hapless defending; easily punished by MK.

It got so much worse after half-time, as a relentless home side threatened time and time again. Making their sixth appearance of the season, United underestimated MK's sharpness and pace, and were made to pay an embarrassing price.

Reeves and Grigg again combined for the second goal, with the latter cheekily chesting home a fine cross; before himself turning provider to set-up Benik Afobe seven minutes later.

Afobe grabbed a brace of his own as MK made it four in the closing stages. The substitute took advantage of some spineless, lethargic defending from the three-time European champions, powerfully striding through United’s flimsy backline before powering a clinical finish beyond the reach of De Gea.

On a day in which United smashed the British transfer record, this shambolic display brought the fans back down to Earth with a bump. With no European football this season, van Gaal had an opportunity to stage a domestic charge on three-fronts, but that dream has been shattered before the end of August.

The Premier League is now all United fans have to occupy themselves for the rest of the calendar year – and things must, must improve on Saturday as the Red Devils make the short journey to Turf Moor, with Di Maria in toe, to face Lancashire rivals Burnley.

Full Time – Milton Keynes Dons 4-0 Manchester United
Attendance - 26,969