(Football news) Manchester United secured their eighth consecutive victory in all competitions when they defeated Charlton 3-0 in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford to reach the semi-finals. Erik ten Hag made eight changes in anticipation of their upcoming match against Manchester City and gave 17 year old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo his debut. Marcus Rashford continued his fine form, scoring his 15th goal with a late double (90th and 94th minute) while Brazilian winger Antony scored a fantastic curler with his left foot in the 21st minute to give the Red Devils a lead.

League One side Charlton Athletic defeated Brighton in the last round but lacked the quality in the final third against Manchester United, who went on to get their ninth consecutive victory at Old Trafford. The Carabao Cup semi-finals draw will take place after Manchester City’s clash against Southampton. In team news, Ten Hag made eight changes with Lisandro Martinez starting his first match since winning the World Cup while reserve goalkeeper Tom Heaton and 17-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo also featured. The likes of Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Fred, Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho also featured in the starting lineup.

As for Charlton, manager Dean Holden made one change to the team that defeated Lincoln 2-1 in League One as Ashley Maynard-Brewer replaced Craig MacGillivray in the starting lineup. The victory for Manchester United means that the Red Devils are in the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the third time in six seasons since they won the competition in 2017 under manager Jose Mourinho.

“The first half an hour I was quite happy. I was less happy with not being clinical in front of goal. We need to be more effective there because we created good chances in the first half an hour. We should have scored more in the first half and also in the second half there was a good save and a few moments where we needed an extra pass, but we didn’t so until the end we had to fight for it. I don’t think they created really good open chances but still you never know.

“We are progressing after the winter break, this is the third time we have won 3-0 which is good but we have to be more clinical. I have told you many times, when he brings himself into position, when the team puts him in the positions, in the one-on-ones in the box he will score and that is what he is doing at this moment. So if he keeps the focus and keeps putting the effort in, he will keep on scoring. What you see now with Rashy, that is quite obvious. It wasn’t at the start of the season but now he is in the right moment.”

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag

“I have pride in the performance and the way we have shown ourselves as a football club on and off the pitch. We rode our luck in the first 20 minutes, but which team doesn’t have to do that in the Premier League? We grew into the game.

“We had a big chance early in the second half and I thought we had a grip of the game, I turned to my left and Erik was bringing them three on, Rashford, Casemiro and Eriksen. I thought it was a harsh scoreline to be honest, but I am proud of the performance. Erik invited me into his office after the game and he told me about the quality of our youngsters, which gives me great pride.”

Charlton manager Dean Holden

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