Humiliating loss for United

Lowly Dons post 4-0 shock

Manchester United's early season problems were compounded by a humiliating 4-0 loss to third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup second round on Tuesday leaving new manager Louis van Gaal still looking for his first win.

MK Dons' Will Grigg and substitute Benik Afobe scored two goals apiece as United's defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by their enthusiastic lower division opponents who took advantage of playing against a second-string side.

Grigg capitalised on United's mistakes to score either side of halftime before Afobe compounded the visitors' misery with two late goals, the first seconds after coming off the bench.

It was United's first outing in the second round of the competition since 1995 and the first time they had conceded four goals in a League Cup match against lower league opposition.

Following United's 2-1 Premier League defeat by Swansea City,  and a toothless 1-1 draw at Sunderland, they should have welcomed a seemingly straightforward game at lowly opponents. After a bright start, though, they wobbled and collapsed badly.

United manager Louis Van Gaal left out several first-team regulars including captain Wayne Rooney and strike partner Robin van Persie but asked if he regretted making so many changes, he said: "No, you have to analyse the problem and I've done that. "We have nine injuries and a very young team. I've seen them trying to do their utmost best so you cannot expect more."

In the other fixtures on Tuesday, West Ham United lost 5-4 on penalties at home to Sheffield United following a 1-1 draw after extra time, while fellow top-flight sides Leicester City and Burnley went down 1-0 to visiting Shrewsbury Town and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.

Dwight Gayle scored a first-half hat-trick Crystal Palace enjoyed a 3-0 win at third-tier Walsall. Newcastle United won 1-0 at Gillingham, Southampton beat Millwall 2-0 away, Swansea triumphed 1-0 at home to Rotherham United and West Bromwich Albion beat visitors Oxford United 7-6 on penalties with the teams locked at 1-1 after extra time.