Rashford Super Sub Appearance Adds To Goal Glut
Marcus Rashford continued his stellar form for Manchester United with two late goals after coming off the substitutes’ bench in the EFL Cup quarter final tie against Charlton Athletic on January 10th.
With coach Erik Ten Haag choosing to rest several top players ahead of the Manchester Derby, United’s second string included debutant midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, born in Stockport.
However, it was the Brazilian imports who had the greatest impact in the first half, with Fred passing to Antony, whose brilliant curling shot opened the scoring against the League One side. Fred was close to a second when his superb free kick hit a post.
However, the plucky Londoners managed to avoid conceding again before half-time and grew in stature in the second half, although it required two outstanding saves by goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer to keep them in the tie.
After introducing Rashford alongside Casemiro and Christian Erikson, United finally made sure of victory late on. Uruguayan winger Facundro Pellestri, who played in the World Cup but only now made his United debut, fed Rashford to score in the 90th minute, before the England forward lashed home a third in the final seconds of stoppage time.
Fans visiting sports shops in Manchester may be keen to get a United shirt with Rashford’s name on it as his recent form has been a key feature of the club’s recent winning run. The brace against Charlton made it eight goals in his last seven club games, while he also scored three times in the World Cup for England.
United’s hopes of winning the cup were boosted further when neighbours City fell to an unexpected 2-0 defeat by Southampton. The Saints will now face Newcastle in one semi-final, while United face Nottingham Forest over two legs.
Should both United and Southampton reach Wembley, it will be a repeat of the 2017 final that United won 3-2.