MAN UNITED 3, CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0
Two late Marcus Rashford goals gave Manchester United a flattering margin of victory against League One club Charlton Athletic as they booked their semi-final place in the Carabao Cup,
Until the 90th minute, the Reds were holding a precarious one-goal advantage thanks to Antony’s early goal as the game hung in the balance as the Addicks gave a creditable account of themselves in front of 9,000 travelling fans.
But cometh the hour, cometh the man as Rashford continued his red-hot scoring streak as he has found the net in all six games since the Reds resumed following the World Cup.
Those seven goals have taken his season to 15, three times last season’s total as he has become revitalised under Erik ten Hag, also scoring in eight successive home games, the first player to do so since Wayne Rooney also achieved the feat.
The Reds’ manager was happy with the performance, especially with young players Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Facundo Pellistri in the team.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis only criticism was the lack of a cutting edge until Rashford’s late double.
“We created good chances but were not clinical in front of goal other the Antony’s which was a great team goal and a brilliant finish,” said ten Hag.
There were also words of praise for hotshot Rashford.
Ten Hag continued: “When he gets into one-on-one positions, he will score as he is doing at the moment.
“If he keeps focused and putting in the same effort, he will continue to score.”
Addicks’ manager Dean Holden thought it was a harsh scoreline saying: “There was pride in the performance and pride especially for the football club on and off the field.
“We grew into the game after the first 20 minutes and in the second half I thought we had a grip until Erik brought on Eriksen, Casemiro and Rashford.”
Holden described it as “magical” managing a team at the club he has supported all his life.
“It was incredible from minute one to the 94th minute. It could have been my daughter’s U8s, but it was the before and after that was special.
“I have stood and sat in every corner of this stadium and neve thought I would ever be stood in the technical area.
“I have been on the canvas a few times but this was more for my family.”
Charlton midfielder Scott Fraser described it as never a 3-0 game.
“It was a harsh as they scored their last two goals late in the game. With a bit more quality in the final third, we might have scored a couple of goals ourselves,” he said.
Ten Hag added Charlton did not create open chances, but United had to wait to the end before sealing victory.
Ten Hag made nine changes to the side that started the Emirates FA Cup tie against Everton four days earlier.
Tyrell Malacia and Antony were the only two survivors as Tom Heaton made a full debut in goal.
There was also a first start for 17-year-old midfielder Mainoo while World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez returned.
United had plenty of big hitting back up on the bench including Rashford, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Luke Shaw and David De Gea.
Garnacho made an electrifying start as in them opening nine minutes he was off target with two shots and also cut the ball back for Diogo Dalot to fire over.
The breakthrough came in the 21st thanks to a piece of Brazilian magic.
A sweeping move from left to right saw Fred feed Antony who cut inside before bending a shot into the top far corner from 20 yards, his fifth goal of the season for the Reds.
United were forced into a 34th minute change when Dalot limped off to be replaced at Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The Reds came within inches of doubling their advantage when Fred’s free kick from 25 yards struck the inside of the upright and flew across the face of goal to safety.
Charlton went close when Albie Morgan’s free kick went narrowly wide after initially looking to be on target when it left the boot.
United had a second goal disallowed soon after the restart when Anthony Elanga was clearly offside when he converted Wan-Bissaka’s cross.
Antony fired wide as another goal continued to elude United.
After an hour, ten Hag saw the need for reinforcements as a triple change was made as Fred, Antony and Mainoo made way for Eriksen, Casemiro and Rashford.
The lively Garnacho made a break before bringing a fine flying save from Aussie goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer who also did well to palm out Eriksen’s shot with six minutes remaining.
United’s final change in the 84th minute saw Uruguayan Facundo Pellistri handed his first-team debut as he replaced Elanga.
Pellestri made an immediate impact as he provided the assist for Rashford’s 90th minute clincher.
Casemiro sprayed a brilliant ball out to Pellestri on the right and he squared the ball for Rashford to almost walk the ball into the net.
Unite added a third goal in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time as Rashford struck again. Casemiro dissected the Addicks’ defence again with a perfect pass to release the England striker who coolly lifted the ball over Maynard-Brewer, harsh on the third tier team.