Manchester United has the Carabao Cup on the horizon after beating Charlton
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Rob DawsonReporter
Manchester United, England – Manchester United reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup after beating Charlton Athletic 3-0 at Old Trafford.
Anthony He scored a brilliant opening goal in the first half, but United were only certain of progressing past the League One side when he was on the bench. Marcus Rashford He scored two goals in stoppage time to find the net for the sixth consecutive match.
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United are chasing their first title since 2017 and Erik ten Hag reach their first cup semi-final after being appointed manager in the summer.
jump to: Player ratings | The best/worst performer | Highlights and notable moments | Quotes after the game | Key stats | Upcoming matches
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1. Silverware on the horizon for Man United
It’s been more than five years since United won the cup, but Ten Hag has given themselves the chance to end their drought at the first opportunity.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, Europa League and UEFA Europa League Final 2021 but couldn’t cross the line. After beating Charlton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, Ten Hag is two games away from the Wembley final and the chance to collect his first title as United manager.
His reign at Old Trafford will be judged on whether he can win the Premier League or the Champions League, but for a club hungry for success, the Carabao Cup is a good starting point. Sir Alex Ferguson started with the FA Cup in 1990 and went on to win it all, and Solskjaer has repeatedly said during his time in charge that cup competitions can provide a valuable stepping stone to bigger and better trophies.
Ten Hag is smart enough to know that a trophy – and a trophy – and a top-four finish would mark a successful first season, and in his first semi-final he gave himself the chance to win something just a few months in charge.
2. Ten Hag follows up on its academic promise
When United were looking for a new permanent manager to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they told the candidates they were looking for three things – a manager who could win trophies, play exciting football and bring players into the first team from the academy.
Ten Hag hasn’t had a chance to win a title yet, but he got off to an early start with the youngsters and, against Charlton, picked both. Alexander Garnacho And a 17-year-old midfielder Kobe Mino From the beginning.
Garnacho, 18, made his debut last season but has become a regular in the first-team squad under Ten Hag, scoring against Real Sociedad and Fulham.
Maino still fluctuates between the Under-21s and the first team – he started for the Under-21s at Fulham on Friday as Ten Hag’s side beat Everton in the FA Cup – but has impressed enough in training to get his first taste of adult football .
Zidane Iqbal19, was also in the squad against Charlton and the 19-year-old defender Reese Bennett He has been on the bench as recently as the win against Nottingham Forest on December 27th. Ten Hag is under pressure to win now, but he’s also making good on his promise to keep an eye on the future.
3. Charlton makes for a rough night
Ten Hag said in his pre-match program notes that his team would “not let the bar down” against Charlton, but he may have been surprised by the League One side’s intransigence.
With the score at 1-0, the Dutchman was interested enough to throw in CasemiroAnd Christian Eriksen And Rashford after 60 minutes – perhaps not part of his plan for Saturday’s derby against Manchester City. Tom Heatonon his debut in goal, deserves credit for the way he drove his penalty area into a number of high shots into the penalty area.
Managed by Dean Holden, the United fan who last won away at Old Trafford in 1986, Charlton did enough to ensure their 9,000 fans got enough shouting, and in the second half in particular, they caused some tense moments for the boss. Ministers. league defense.
It was only Holden’s second loss after being appointed in December, and for much of the match a fine strike from Anthony was the difference between the teams. Charlton and Holden can take a lot of positives in their next game against Barnsley on Saturday.
Player ratings
Manchester United: tom heaton 7, Diogo Dalot 6, Tyrell Malacia 6, Harry Maguire 6, Lisandro Martinez 6, unique 7, Scott McTominay 6, Kobe Mino 6, Anthony 7, Alexandre Garnacho 7, Anthony Elanga 6.
Submarines: Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6 Casemiro 6 Christian Eriksen 6 Marcus Rashford 7 By making Pellistri 7.
Charlton: Ashley Maynard Brewer 6, Sean Clair 6, Ryan Ennis 6, Lucas Ness 5, Stephen Sessegnon 6, George Dobson 7, Albie Morgan 6, Scott Fraser 6, Jesuron Rak Saki 6, Miles Liburn 6, Corey Plackett Taylor 5.
Submarines: Eoghan O’Connell 6, Jack Payne 6, Jaden Stockley 6, Aaron Henry 6.
The best and worst performers
Best: Alexander Greenwich, Manchester United.
The Argentine started brightly and United could have made it 3-0 within 10 minutes after working on the left.
Worst: Corey Blackett-Taylor, Charlton Athletic.
He’ll wish he had shown Anthony on his weaker right foot instead of letting the Brazilian cut inside and score on his left.
Highlights and notable moments
Anthony with Jamal for Manchester United! 😱 pic.twitter.com/qYq0bGACP1
– ESPN FC (ESPNFC) January 10, 2023
Anthony delivered this incredible curler to the top of the net giving Manchester United the lead on their way to victory.
After the match: What the players/managers said
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag told BBC Radio: “We had to be in the semi-finals and we did the job. I think we should have finished this early but in the end the goal was to get a lot of compliments for the team.”
Ten Hag on Marcus Rashford, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro subs: “It was the plan before to bring them in and keep their rhythm for the games to come… It’s the standards of this team, the subs have to be ready and we saw that again today.”
Key stats (courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information Research)
Marcus Rashford became the first Manchester United player to score in eight consecutive home matches since Wayne Rooney in 2010 (they are the only players to do so since 2004-05).
– Rashford also has more goals (6) in his last five games for Manchester United than he did in 32 games for Manchester United in all competitions in the 2021-22 season.
Charlton has not beaten Manchester United since November 1989.
next one
Manchester United: It’s the Manchester derby as City travel across town to Old Trafford for a top-four clash on Saturday. A major test against the reigning Premier League champions, who are currently second behind Arsenal.
Charlton Athletic: Back in League One action with a home game against Barnsley on Saturday.