Casemiro opened the scoring in style in Wednesday night’s 5-2 thrashing of Leicester, with his 25-yard strike provoking a delighted reaction from Ruud van Nistelrooy on the touchline. 

Manchester United turned on the style in their first game since Erik ten Hag’s departure earlier this week, scoring five goals against Steve Cooper’s Foxes in the fourth round. 

Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes each scored twice, with Alejandro Garnacho adding another, while the visitors’ Bilal El-Khannouss and Conor Coady scored in the first half. 

But in his first game as Man United’s interim manager, Van Nistelrooy was taken aback by his defensive midfielder’s absolute screamer of an opener. 

Casemiro’s reputation in the game has dropped since joining United from Real Madrid two summers ago, but he reminded everyone of his world-class abilities against Leicester. 

Ruud van Nistelrooy burst in exuberant celebration following Casemiro’s long-range stunner.

The Brazilian scored twice that night, but it was his first shot that truly caught the attention.

A quarter of an hour into the game, Garnacho carried the ball down the left before checking inside and passing to Fernandes, only for the Portugal star to step over it and let it run. 

It fell into Casemiro’s path, and the midfielder took advantage of the situation. He took a touch with his foot and unleashed a fantastic curling attempt into the upper right corner of the net.

Naturally, Casemiro ran over to the fans to celebrate his world-class performance, and he was soon followed by his teammates. 

But over on the touchline, Van Nistelrooy, who is better known for his finishing inside the box but knows more about scoring goals than most, was clearly taken aback. 

He was left with a large smile on his face and repeatedly pumped his fists in the air in delight. 

The former United and Real Madrid striker couldn’t have asked for a better evening, with his team scoring five goals in his first game as temporary manager. 

United’s reward for a good performance at Old Trafford is a journey to north London, where they will face Tottenham for a chance to make the competition’s last four, and possibly go even further and win a second Carabao Cup in three years. 

Despite how impressive his team was, it is unlikely that he will spend much time in the bench, as the club is in talks with Sporting about highly respected manager Ruben Amorim. 

Ruud Van Nistelrooy enjoys the celebrations following the 5-2 win.

Discussions are still considered to revolve around the Portuguese manager’s notice period, which is thought to be weeks rather than days, leading to suggestions that he will not be able to take over until after the international break. 

According to rumors, signing Amorim and his coaching staff would cost United over £13 million.