Football: Praise for Marcus Rashford as United ease into League Cup semis
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Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford scores their second goal.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON - Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag had said that the in-form Marcus Rashford will keep on scoring as long as he keeps his focus, and he was proven right on Tuesday.
The forward came off the bench to score twice as the Red Devils beat Charlton Athletic 3-0 to reach the English League Cup semi-finals, while Newcastle saw off Leicester 2-0.
A youthful United side featured eight changes as ten Hag had one eye on Saturday’s Premier League derby against rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.
“We had to be in that semi-final and we did the job,” said the United manager.
“I think we had to finish this off early on but, in the end, the objective was to get through, so compliments to the team.”
One of those retained in the starting line-up from Friday’s 3-1 win over Everton, Brazilian winger Antony, made the breakthrough with a sumptuous strike in the 21st minute.
Charlton were roared on by 9,000 travelling supporters and the third-tier side kept the tie alive despite ten Hag introducing Casemiro, Rashford and Christian Eriksen off the bench for the final half hour.
Rashford finally made the game safe for the hosts in the 90th minute, scoring for the eighth straight match at Old Trafford. He was also on target for the sixth successive match in all competitions.
The England international then took his tally for the season to 15 with a thumping finish from Casemiro’s pass deep into stoppage time. He has been rejuvenated under ten Hag this season, having mustered just five goals last term.
“I have told you many times, when he puts himself in the position, in one-on-ones in the box, he will score,” ten Hag added.
“That is what he is doing at the moment. If he keeps the focus and keeps doing what he is doing, he will score more.
“First half, I was happy, but I was less happy with not being clinical in front of goal. We created a lot of chances. We should have scored more... We had to fight right until the end.
“But we are scoring goals from the back, from set plays, too, so I think we are progressing.”
Ten Hag also gave a few youngsters a chance to prove themselves and he was happy with what he saw.
“We have some young guys on the pitch like (Alejandro) Garnacho. We’ve seen him more in the last weeks and again he was a threat so many times,” he said.
“Kobbie Mainoo, on debut, did well. (Facundo) Pellistri came in for the first time and got a good assist for Rashford for 2-0.”
The Dutchman also said that Diogo Dalot’s injury was “not serious” and the Portuguese right-back was substituted as a precaution. AFP, REUTERS
