Soccer

Erik ten Hag backs Marcus Rashford to ‘keep on scoring’ after Carabao Cup double

‘We are progressing after the winter break, this is the third time we have won 3-0 which is good’

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants his team to be more clinical in front of goal. Photograph: Getty Images
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants his team to be more clinical in front of goal. Photograph: Getty Images
Wed Jan 11 2023 - 11:00

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expects Marcus Rashford to keep banging in the goals after he continued his hot streak in the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Charlton.

The England forward came off the bench to score two goals in stoppage time and send his side through to the semi-finals for the third time in four years.

Antony had given United the lead, but a dogged display by the League One side and missed chances meant that Rashford’s late intervention was needed.

His brace ensured he found the net for the sixth successive game since the domestic season restarted after the World Cup and Ten Hag is hopeful for more.

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“I have told you many times, when he brings himself into position, when the teams 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,” the Dutchman said.

“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.”

Rashford’s goals killed off the tie that Charlton were very much in until added time.

Antony’s fine first-half goal put them ahead, but Ten Hag felt the need to throw on Rashford, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen to ensure nothing untoward happened.

And the Dutchman wanted his side to be more clinical.

“The first half-hour I was quite happy, I was less happy with being clinical in front of goal, we need to be more effective there because we created good chances in the first half-hour,” he said.

“We should have scored more in the first half and also 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.

“But we have scoring players in our team.”

Addicks boss Dean Holden was proud of his side’s performance but felt the scoreline was harsh.

“I have pride in the performance and the way we have shown ourselves as a football club on and off the pitch,” he said.

“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.”

Holden is a diehard United fan and enjoyed the overall experience of managing at a ground where he has been a fan.

“It was pretty magical, I am not going to say anything else,” he said. “It was a special experience. I have stood and sat in every corner of this stadium over the years but never once did I think I would stand in the technical area.

“My dad is next door, 70 years old, been coming here for 60-odd years… wow. For him for him to see his son coming out is a pretty special moment.”