Evening all! Sports Mole's League Cup coverage for the 2014-15 season gets underway this evening as MK Dons host Manchester United. Will tonight be Louis van Gaal's first competitive win as United manager? MK Dons stand between Van Gaal and a place in the third round of the competition. Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Milton Keynes. United fans – unfortunately Angel di Maria, who has just completed his £60m move to the club, isn't available yet!

TEAMS:

MK DONS: Martin; Baldock, Lewington, Kay, McFadzean; Alli, Potter; Bowditch, Reeves, Carruthers; Grigg

UNITED: De Gea; M Keane, Evans, Vermijl; James, Powell, Anderson, Janko; Kagawa; Hernandez, Welbeck

So there we have it. There are no real surprises in the MK Dons XI this evening, with Dean Lewington due to captain the League One side from defence. Kyle McFadzean also starts, while on-loan Brentford forward Will Grigg will lead the line with support from Samir Carruthers. What about United?

Jonny Evans will captain United this evening, while Saidy Janko and Reece James are making their competitive first-team debuts for the Premier League outfit. There is also a midfield role for Anderson, who has been strongly linked with a move away from the club this summer. Exciting forward James Wilson is on the bench, alongside Wilfried Zaha, who is also expected to depart on loan this week.

Man Utd players warming up here at MK Dons pic.twitter.com/Fvm7f7E4Nh — Talk Of The Devils (@TalkOfTheDevils) August 26, 2014

MK Dons bowed out of the League Cup at this stage last season and have never moved past the third round of the competition. Gaining promotion from League One will be their main aim this season, but the chance to take a big scalp at this stage of the campaign would be a big boost to their confidence.

They finished 10th in League One last season, but will be hopeful of a playoff spot this time around. The club has made a bright start to the new league campaign, taking seven points from their four matches to sit seventh. They earned their spot in the second round of the League Cup, meanwhile, by beating AFC Wimbledon 3-1 earlier in the month. Just a reminder that kickoff is at 8pm UK time this evening.

United, meanwhile, enter the match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Sunderland in the Premier League. They have taken just one point from their two games having lost their opener at home to Swansea City. A positive performance tonight, however, would set them up nicely for a trip to Burnley on Saturday.

United's form in the early part of the season has been all the more surprising due to their impressive pre-season, where they won all six of their matches against the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Roma and Inter Milan. It is still early days, however, and Van Gaal will certainly be given the time to put things right with the Premier League's most successful club.

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United reached the semi-finals of the League Cup last season, beating Liverpool, Norwich City and then Stoke City to advance into the final four. They were level 3-3 with Sunderland after the two legs of the semi-final, but lost to the Black Cats on penalties. It is a competition that Van Gaal will take seriously this season due to the lack of Champions League football.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Once the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged, we will be ready to get the fixture underway.

It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. It is a packed house, which is not a surprise. Can MK Dons cause a big shock in the second round? Or will Van Gaal pick up his first competitive win as United boss? It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway.

The pitch is in fantastic condition this evening, no problems there. MK Dons make a bright start as Alli finds some space inside the United box, but James is across to make the clearance. United are down the other end with Welbeck moments later, the striker finds Hernandez, but he slips inside the box.

Again United threaten as Welbeck combines with James before delivering towards Kagawa, but the midfielder cannot make contact inside the box. United have a corner, which is delivered by Anderson, but Lewington is on hand to make the clearance. Plenty happening in the opening four minutes of this contest.

CLOSE! United come close to opening the scoring as James finds Powell on the edge of the MK Dons box, but his effort just moves high of the crossbar. United are in with Hernandez moments later, but the Mexican's effort is deflected wide of the post. One-way traffic here.

United are in complete control at the moment, with Welbeck in particular causing all sorts of problems in the final third. Reeves has been the main threat for the home side thus far, but De Gea has not been worried. Just a reminder that this match must be decided this evening therefore extra-time could occur.

The home side have just managed to settle with the ball in the last few minutes, but United are pressing extremely high in the middle of the park and look extremely dangerous on the counter attack.

Kagawa has a problem for United after clashing with Potter in the middle of the park, but it does appear that the Japan international will be fit to continue despite the nasty clash of heads.

Half-chance for United as Anderson slides a beautiful ball into the path of Hernandez, who threatens to move past McFadzean, but the Mexican loses control before fouling the defender. MK Dons are down the other end moments later, but De Gea comes out to clear. Welbeck comes close to meeting a Kagawa pass in United's next attack, but the MK Dons stopper is out to claim at the vital moment. End-to-end football!

Half-chance for MK Dons as Potter turns on the edge of the United box before striking a volley towards goal, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Better from the home side.

United continue to threaten in the final third with Welbeck and Hernandez combining outside the box, but Bowditch is back to make a smart challenge. MK Dons are down the other end with Grigg moments later, but the striker cannot move away from Evans. Still goalless with 15 minutes on the clock in Milton Keynes.

The match has just settled in the last few moments, with MK Dons enjoying more of the ball in the final third. Neither side has really been able to create a clear chance, however, with both defences standing strong. MK Dons have a free kick in a dangerous area, however, as Janko arrives late into Lewington.

Lewington delivers the resulting free kick, but De Gea comes to collect with relative ease.

Alli escapes a yellow card despite a terrible challenge on Powell in the middle of the park. Not too sure how the referee has deemed that not a yellow! Kagawa seems to have a problem here, meanwhile.

SUB! Kagawa indeed cannot continue as Januzaj enters the field. Kagawa took a blow to the face in the early stages and looks really dazed it must be said.

A mistake from Anderson almost lets Reeves in for the home side, but United have enough players in a defensive area to clear the danger. The tempo has risen once more with the match flowing from end-to-end.

Lewington tries his luck from outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.

According to Sky Sports News, Kagawa is suffering from mild concussion and blurred vision following the earlier challenge. That is a big blow for the midfielder who was hoping to impress this evening. Little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining and still the two sides cannot be separated.

MK Dons take the lead with 25 minutes on the clock as Reeves collects a terrible pass from Evans before rolling in Grigg, who cannot miss from close range. Awful defending from Evans.

Well, that wasn't supposed to happen. There is still plenty of time to turn this one around, but that was really poor from Evans, someone who should have known better. MK Dons again threaten through Bowditch and then Reeves, but Keane manages to clear at the vital moment. United break with Januzaj...

Possession football from MK Dons in the last couple of minutes, which is what they need after taking the lead. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital. Another for the home side and United would be in a serious hole, but I would be surprised if there was not a response.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with United frustrated in the final third as Hernandez twice loses possession. The referee has been called into action in the middle of the park, meanwhile, following a host of late challenges. Little over 10 minutes of the half remaining.

Carruthers tries his luck on the half-volley for the home side, but his effort is straight at De Gea.

Half-chance for United as Hernandez feeds Powell on the edge of the box, but his effort just whistles wide of the post. Powell has had a couple of sighters from distance in the opening 35 minutes tonight.

Welbeck has been United's brightest player this evening, but those around him have not offered too much. James breaks down the left, but cannot collect a return from Vermijl. Still 1-0 to the home side.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes and the atmosphere has dropped in the stands. MK Dons still lead, however, following that strike from Grigg. I suspect that there will be some harsh words exchanged in the United dressing room at the break. It has not been good enough.

It is almost like a pre-season match at the moment, no real tempo or thrust from either side. The referee, meanwhile, is being consistently called into action to deal with a number of sloppy challenges.

Better from United as Januzaj flashes a wide pass to Janko, who delivers towards the near post, but Lewington is on hand to make the block. Anderson delivers the resulting corner, but Potter is on hand to clear.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the first of those. In truth, since MK Dons took the lead, hardly anything has happened at either end.

Well, that wasn't great for United. MK Dons lead 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a close-range finish from Grigg. It was a terrible mistake from Evans in the build-up, with the United centre-back losing out to Reeves inside his own box. More frustration for Louis van Gaal at the interval here.

BENCH WATCH! MK Dons have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Randall, Afobe and Green all in reserve. United, meanwhile, have already made one change with Januzaj replacing Kagawa, but they still have attacking options in the shape of Wilson, Pereira and Zaha.

Just a reminder that this tie must be decided this evening and therefore extra-time and penalties could occur if the match is level after 90 minutes. In truth, there has been hardly anything in it thus far, with one mistake from Evans gifting MK Dons the lead. Welbeck has been the brightest outlet for United.

Just a reminder that this tie must be decided this evening and therefore extra-time and penalties could occur if the match is level after 90 minutes. In truth, there has been hardly anything in it thus far, with one mistake from Evans gifting MK Dons the lead. Welbeck has been the brightest outlet for United.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. I am expecting to see a big improvement from United. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial. Right, United get the second 45 minutes underway in Milton Keynes.

SUB! Change for United at the interval as Pereira replaces Janko.

MK Dons go with the same XI as the first period, which is not a surprise. United have just one change remaining - surely that would have to be James Wilson. United are in control of the possession in the opening minutes of the second period, but MK Dons remain tight and compact in defensive areas.

United threaten with two corners in the early stages of the second period, but MK Dons manage to clear their lines on both occasions. Good pressure from the away side in the early minutes of the second half.

MK Dons want a penalty as Evans seems to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. It did seem to hit the hand of the centre-back. United have got away with one there it must be said.

BOOKING! United wing-back James goes into the book for a late challenge on Baldock.

Pereira shows wonderful ability in the middle of the park after finding some space and floating a pass into Januzaj, but the Belgian cannot control under pressure. Not too much to report in terms of chances, but United are in control of the ball. You just get the feeling that a second goal will soon arrive.

United have a free kick in a dangerous position as Carruthers brings Welbeck to the ground...

... Pereira delivers the set piece, but fires it straight over the crossbar. Not great!

SUB! First change for the home side as Daniel Powell replaces Bowditch.

SUB! United make their third change as Wilson replaces Powell.

CHANCE! Brilliant work from Pereira sets up a chance for Welbeck as the England international turns on the edge of the box, but his powerful effort just whistles wide of the post.

United are in control in terms of pressure, but they are creating very little, with MK Dons comfortable in defensive areas. Little under 30 minutes for United to turn this one around. It would be another major blow for Van Gaal if his team suffered another defeat. However, there is still time tonight.

SUB! Second change for MK Dons as Green replaces Carruthers.

Half-chance for the home side as Powell finds some space inside the United box, but his effort is straight at De Gea. MK Dons have just started to threaten a second and United cannot find a response.

MK Dons have their second as Grigg chests a cross from Reeves into the back of the net. Where on earth was the marking? Anderson got nowhere near the cross from the left. Very poor again from United.

Well, it has been another horror show from United. In the past you would still have backed them to turn this around, but not now. MK Dons are comfortable with 66 minutes on the clock.

Half-chance for United as Hernandez delivers a low cross into Welbeck, but the striker cannot make a proper connection and MK Dons have a goal kick. Still more than 20 minutes remaining. One goal for United would change the atmosphere in the stadium, but MK Dons continue to threaten on the counter attack.

SUB! No hat-trick for Grigg as Afobe replaces the two-goal forward.

MK Dons have their third of the evening as Afobe beats the offside trap before rolling one into the back of the net. Incredible scenes here. It gets worse and worse for United.

CHANCE! Wilson bursts into life for United after finding space outside the box before curling one towards the top corner, but Martin is across to make a fine save.

Another half-chance for United as Januzaj delivers a dangerous cross into a crowded box, but there are no takers and the chance is gone. One goal for United would set up the final 15 minutes or so.

Half-chance for the home side this time as Powell breaks beyond the United defence, but De Gea is on hand to make the save. It could have been 4-0. Well, it still might be.

BOOKING! Kay goes into the book for MK Dons for a late challenge on Januzaj.

Another half-chance for United as Hernandez meets a cross from James, but the Mexican stabs his effort wide of the post. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and United trail 3-0 at MK Dons.

CLOSE! MK Dons come close to their fourth as a cross from the right causes De Gea all sorts of problems, but the Spaniard just manages to keep it out. Poor defending once more.

CLOSE! MK Dons come close to their fourth as a cross from the right causes De Gea all sorts of problems, but the Spaniard just manages to keep it out. Poor defending once more.

POST! United come close to scoring their first of the evening as Januzaj rattles one towards the top corner, but it smashes the outside of the post before moving wide of the target.

MK Dons have their fourth of the match as Afobe breaks through the United defence before rattling his effort into the back of the net. Just terrible defending from United once more. Awful.

Van Gaal just cannot believe his eyes as he sits on the bench and takes in the atmosphere. It has all gone wrong again for the Dutchman and it could yet get worse.

Pereira tries his luck for United outside the box, but his effort was always straight at Martin. Little over one minute of normal time remaining and United cannot wait for the match to end here.

CHANCE! Wilson comes close to a consolation for United after meeting a cross from Pereira, but Martin is on hand to make another smart save.

The United fans sing "we'll never die" - they have been great this evening, but they have been let down once again. We are into the first minute of stoppage time here as Pereira fires high and wide.

We are into the third minute of additional time. It is almost over for United, luckily.

Half-chance for Anderson as the United midfielder finds some space inside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. That should be just about that this evening.

So there we have it. The referee brings the match to a close with MK Dons thumping United 4-0 in the second round of the League Cup. Another terrible evening for United. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!