Man Utd beat League One side Charlton 3-0 at Old Trafford to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals; Marcus Rashford scores late double after Antony’s fine first-half strike; Man Utd youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Facundo Pellistri make senior debuts

Marcus Rashford scored twice as 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 as second-half substitute Rashford continued his fine form with a late double (90, 94).

The England international has now scored 15 goals this season, while his impressive cameo saw him find the net for a sixth game in a row and an eighth straight match at Old Trafford. Antony’s fine left-footed strike from distance had earlier put United ahead (21).

League One Charlton, who knocked out Brighton in the previous round, threatened to equalise in the second half before Rashford’s goals but lacked quality in the final third as the hosts secured their ninth consecutive win 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 today.

How Man Utd reached the last four

United only made sure of their progression to the last four as the tie headed towards stoppage time but it could have been more convincing 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, who was forced off in the first half due to injury, blazed over from a good position.

But it was from the right where United forged their 21st-minute opener. They worked the ball across the pitch and Fred found Antony, who made space on his preferred left foot before sending 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 the impressive Fred saw his 30-yard free-kick crash into a post, with Maynard-Brewer a bystander.

Charlton, roared on by 9,000 travelling supporters and manager Dean Holden – a die-hard United fan – had battled hard and enjoyed their best period of the game heading into the interval as Albie Morgan whipped a free-kick wide before Tom Heaton had to claim Sean Clare’s low cross with Corey Blackett-Taylor waiting to pounce.

The visitors 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 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 before the in-form forward scored again after being played through by Casemiro.

The win sees United make the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup for the third time in six seasons since they won the competition in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.

Courtesy SKY