Capital One Cup: MK Dons 4 Man. United 0

Manchester United were knocked out of the Capital One Cup in disappointing fashion, after suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of League One side MK Dons.

Ahead of the game, Louis van Gaal - taking charge in his first domestic cup tie in England - opted to make ten changes from the side which picked up a point at Sunderland, handing debuts to youngsters Saidy Janko and Reece James.

And following a fast start from the Reds, it was Nick Powell who registered the game’s first effort on three minutes by firing narrowly over the bar after good work from James on the edge of the Dons area.

The hosts, gaining confidence with each goalless minute at Stadium:mk, had their first attempt through Darren Potter shortly after. After some pinball in and around the United box, the midfielder plucked the ball out of the air before turning and volleying over the bar.

Shinji Kagawa was looking to make an early impression in his first start for the Reds this season and was inches away from putting Danny Welbeck through on goal, only to see his pass well smothered by David Martin.

Kagawa was then forced off on 19 minutes after suffering from an earlier collision which had left the playmaker with a bloodied nose. The Japanese international was subsequently replaced by Adnan Januzaj, who immediately looked to galvanize the Reds.

It was the Dons who struck first just six minutes later though as an under-hit pass from Jonny Evans was seized upon by Ben Reeves, who squared for striker Will Grigg to tap the home side into an unexpected lead.

Van Gaal’s men went in search of an immediate response, one which was almost provided in spectacular fashion by Powell moments later. After again being teed up by James, the youngster lashed a shot just wide with the outside of his boot but couldn't spare United's blushes going into the break.

One debutant was replaced by another after the break as Andreas Pereira took the place of Janko, and the midfielder was soon involved as the Reds began the second half with greater attacking intent. On 58 minutes, Pereira picked up the ball in midfield before jinking past his defender and supplying Welbeck, whose rasping shot flew just wide of goal.

Four minutes later however, United were made to rue missed opportunities as Grigg scored his and the Dons' second. Mike Keane's misplaced pass was picked up Reeves, who again exchanged passes with the striker before providing a pin-point cross for a simple finish from close range.

That was to be Grigg's last touch, as he was replaced by forward Benik Afobe. With the Reds rattled by the latest setback, the on-loan Arsenal man put the result beyond doubt on 69 minutes, firing the ball through the legs of De Gea.

With ten minutes to go, Januzaj smashed an effort off the frame of the goal from a tight angle - an effort which rather summed up the Reds' day in front of goal.

As United pressed for a consolation, Afobe rounded off the scoring by making the most of confusion in front of De Gea to fire past the Spaniard and into the corner.