Angel di Maria arrives to Man Utd humiliation

Manchester United sank to new depths on Tuesday when they crashed out of the League Cup in the second round following a 4-0 defeat at third-division Milton Keynes Dons.

United had announced the signing of Angel di Maria from Real Madrid in a British-record £59.7 million ($98 million, 75 million euros) deal shortly before kick-off, but they were brought down to earth with a painful bump as a second-string team fell apart at Stadium MK.

Will Grigg scored either side of half-time for the League One side before substitute Benik Afobe added a brace of his own to leave a shell-shocked Louis van Gaal still searching for his first competitive win as United manager.

Di Maria hope?

Manchester United announced on Tuesday that they have signed Argentina winger Angel di Maria from Real Madrid for a British-record transfer fee of £59.7 million ($98 million, 75 million euros).

The 26-year-old's move, on a five-year contract, shatters the previous British-record fee of £50 million paid by Chelsea to sign Spain striker Fernando Torres from Liverpool in 2011.

"Manchester United is delighted to announce that Angel di Maria has completed his transfer for a British-record fee of £59.7 million. Angel joins on a five-year contract," said a club statement.

United manager Louis van Gaal said: "Angel is a world-class midfielder, but most importantly he is a team player. There is no doubting his immense natural talent.

"He is a tremendously fast and incisive left-footed player who puts fear into the most accomplished defence.

"His dribbling skills and his ability to take on and beat opponents are a joy to watch. He is an excellent addition to the team."

Di Maria said it was Van Gaal's "vision" for the English giants that had persuaded him to move to Old Trafford, even though United are not playing in Europe after their seventh-place finish in last term's Premier League.

"I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United," Di Maria said.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Spain and there were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for.

"Louis van Gaal is a fantastic coach with a proven track record of success and I am impressed by the vision and determination everyone has to get this club back to the top -- where it belongs. I now just cannot wait to get started."

Van Gaal’s explanation

"It's a matter of making errors at the wrong moment. When you see the goals against us, we made big errors in the build-up situations that you cannot make," van Gaal told Sky Sports about the loss.

"You don't have to forget that we have nine injuries and that we had a very young team. I have seen them trying to do their utmost best, so you cannot expect more of the players."

Asked if he had a message for United's fans, van Gaal said: "They have to believe in our philosophy. We are building up a team and you cannot make it in one month, not in one year.

"Of course it's very disappointing, but I hope they shall maintain their confidence in the club and our philosophy because that philosophy takes time."

United's defeat mirrored what had happened on their last appearance in the second round in 1995, when they fell to third-tier York City, and means a potential path to silverware has been shut off before the end of August.

"I'm a little bit in shock, to be walking around and seeing the scoreline," said MK Dons manager Karl Robinson.

"It's ridiculous. It's something that dreams are made of for these players."

Evans blunder

Van Gaal made 10 changes to his starting XI, with goalkeeper David de Gea the only player to hold onto his place from Sunday's 1-1 draw at Sunderland in the Premier League.

The visitors received an early setback when Shinji Kagawa had to go off after a clash of heads and in the 25th minute they gifted their hosts the lead.

Jonny Evans, United's captain for the day, passed the ball straight to Ben Reeves inside his own area and the Dons number 10 squared to Grigg for a simple tap-in.

The home side were aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty early in the second half when a shot from Dean Bowditch struck Evans on the arm, but in the 63rd minute they added a second goal.

After United again conceded possession cheaply, Grigg sprayed a pass wide to Reeves, who crossed for Grigg to beat De Gea with an outrageous chested finish from 10 yards.

There was more misery to come for United, whose seventh-place finish last season was their worst since 1990.

With 20 minutes remaining, Reeves displayed his disdain for the visiting defence with a showy no-look through-ball to on-loan Arsenal striker Afobe, who held his nerve to sweep the ball past De Gea.

Belatedly, United rallied, with Adnan Januzaj hitting the post, but with six minutes left Afobe charged through three weak challenges before slamming home to complete a humiliating night for English football's misfiring giants.

United were one of four Premier League teams to fall to lower-league opposition on Tuesday.

Promoted sides Leicester City and Burnley were both beaten 1-0 at home, with the former going down to fourth-tier Shrewsbury Town and the latter losing to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

West Ham United lost 5-4 on penalties at home to third-tier Sheffield United following a 1-1 draw, while West Bromwich Albion edged fourth-tier Oxford United 7-6 in a penalty shootout.

However, Newcastle United, Southampton, Swansea City and Crystal Palace all made it through to round three. 

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