Manchester, UK: Match report and free highlights as Manchester United reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup after a 3-0 win over League One side Charlton; Antony scores fine first-half goal before Marcus Rashford strikes late double; Erik ten Hag handed teenager Kobbie Mainoo his senior United debut.
A much-changed Manchester United made it eight consecutive wins in all competitions by beating Charlton 3-0 at Old Trafford to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
United manager Erik ten Hag made eight changes following Friday’s FA Cup victory over Everton and handed 17-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo his debut, but it did not disrupt his side’s momentum.
Brazilian Antony’s fine left-footed strike from 20 yards gave United the lead in the 21st minute before second-half substitute Marcus Rashford’s late double sealed the win.
2+ CORNERS EACH TEAM IN EACH HAThe England international has now scored 15 goals this season and his impressive cameo saw him find the net for the sixth game in a row – and an eighth straight match at Old Trafford.
League One Charlton, who knocked out Brighton in the previous round, threatened to equalise in the second half but lacked quality in the final third as United secured their ninth win in a row at Old Trafford.
The draw for the Carabao Cup semi-finals will take place after Southampton’s last-eight clash with Manchester City at St Mary’s on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.
How Man Utd reached the last four
United only made sure of their progression to the last four as the tie headed into stoppage time but it could have been more convincing for the hosts had they taken one of the early chances that the prodigious talent Alejandro Garnacho created.
The Argentine made an opening for Diogo Dalot after cutting inside from the byline, but the defender blazed over from a good position.
Garnacho then twice tried to go on his own as he had his marker Sean Clare on toast, first cutting in and then fizzing a shot just wide before a jinking run into the penalty area ended with him dragging a shot wide.
But it was from the right where United forged their 21st-minute opener. They worked the ball well out to Antony, who made space on his preferred left foot and then sent a curling effort past Ashley Maynard-Brewer and into the top corner.
The hosts were within inches of doubling their lead 10 minutes before the break when Fred’s 30-yard free-kick crashed into a post, with Maynard-Brewer a bystander.
Charlton, roared on by 10,000 travelling supporters, had battled hard and enjoyed their best period of the game heading into the interval as Albie Morgan whipped a free-kick wide and then Tom Heaton had to claim Clare’s low cross with Corey Blackett-Taylor waiting to pounce.
They started the second half strongly as well and their golden opportunity came 76 seconds after the restart as Scott Fraser latched on to Miles Leaburn’s flick-on but put his left-footed shot over.
Anthony Elanga had a goal ruled out for a clear offside but it was Charlton who continued to press their illustrious hosts and, such was their impact, Ten Hag introduced Rashford, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen on the hour mark.
That experienced trio helped United gain control of the match and they created some chances to kill the game off as Garnacho brought a flying save from Maynard-Brewer, who also got down low to keep out Eriksen’s effort.
United eventually got the second that made the game safe in the 90th minute as debutant Facundo Pellistri teed up Rashford and the in-form forward added a second after being played through by Casemiro.
Manchester United return to Premier League action at 12.30pm on Saturday when they take on rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s side then travel to Crystal Palace at 8pm on Wednesday before a mouth-watering clash with Arsenal at 4.30pm on January 22, live on Sky Sports.
Up next for Charlton is a home match against Barnsley in League One at 3pm on Saturday before a trip to Peterborough at the same time on January 21.
~Sky Sports