Manchester United 3 – 0 Charlton: United cruise through to the semi-final finals of the EFL Cup

Manchester United produced yet another dominant display to progress through to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, with Erik ten Hag’s side looking more and more like a cup-winning team.

Manchester United came into the game 4th in the Premier League and determined to extend their six-match winning streak. Charlton alternatively are 12th in League One and managed by boyhood Manchester United fan and current season ticket holder, Dean Holden.

The Manchester United starting XI had some expected changes, with the most notable coming in the form of Kobbie Mainoo, a 17-year-old who was making his first start for the Reds in the centre of midfield.

United looked dangerous early on, with Harry Maguire and Alejandro Garnacho forming an effective partnership through the use of diagonal balls from the centre-back to the winger. The Argentine teenager went close multiple times for United but failed to make his dazzling runs count as his final pass or shot was continually slightly off the mark.

Despite their success generally coming down the left-hand side, the Reds took the lead in the 20th minute through an Antony screamer, with the Brazillian winger using his trademark cut-in to curl a left-footed striker into the top corner left from the edge of the box.

Whilst fans would have hoped this breakthrough would have spurred them on, United’s attack became blunter and blunter as the half went on, failing to really threaten the Charlton goal towards the latter stages of the half.

Similarly, the Reds were subjected to little threat from Charlton’s attackers throughout the first half, with Tom Heaton, who was making only his second competitive appearance for the club, dealing with any remote danger effectively.

The second half started with a renewed intensity, as Aaron Wan-Bissaka had an early tap-in ruled out for offside in the 49th minute.

Erik ten Hag brought strong reinforcements off the bench to ensure the result for United, with Christian Eriksen, Marcus Rashford and Casemiro all making an appearance.

Alejandro Garnacho had another good effort saved by the Charlton keeper to keep United’s lead at only a single goal.

Manchester United’s second finally came in the 89th minute through, to no surprise, Marcus Rashford, who extends his scoring run to six consecutive games.

The goal was created by Facundo Pellistri, who came on in the place of Anthony Elanga for his competitive debut for United. The Uruguayan starlet had an impressive cameo off the bench and looked to be everything that United fans had been hoping for.

Rashford found the net again at the death, through a fantastic finish in behind the defence, making the scoreline truly reflect what had been a dominant performance by a well-structured United side.

The result sees United through to the semi-final of the EFL cup, with Erik ten Hag’s side looking to secure their first piece of silverware since their previous success in the EFL cup in 2017.