MK Dons Dump Manchester United Out Of League Cup In Shocking Upset

Manchester United continues to head in the wrong direction.

Milton Keynes Dons beat Manchester United 4-0 on Tuesday, eliminating the Red Devils from the League Cup in the second round of the competition.

MK Dons strikers Will Griggs and Benik Afobe each scored two goals, as the hosts consigned Manchester United to its earliest League Cup exit since 1995.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal fielded a weakened team against an opponent which competes in League One — two divisions below the Premier League. Manchester United’s starting lineup included inexperienced defenders Marnick Vermijl (22 years old), Michael Keane (21), Reece James (20), Saidy Janko (18) and Nick Powell (20). Van Gaal also selected a trio of attackers who could be leaving the club in a matter of days — Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa and Danny Welbeck.

It backfired on van Gaal, Manchester United’s first-year manager, as the determined and inspired Dons routed his reserves.

Manchester United now will only compete in two competitions for the rest of the 2014-15 season. Barring a dramatic change in circumstances, Manchester United won’t win the Premier League this season, which leaves the FA Cup as its best hope for winning a trophy during this transitional campaign.

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