With many first-choice players left on the bench, the biggest surprise from Ten Hag is seventeen-year-old midfielder Mainoo making his debut. Martial is nowhere to be seen.
Ten Hag explained his choice to MUTV:
The most important thing is to win this game and get into the next round. We want to get into the semi-finals, so it’s a big game. For him, it’s a great opportunity, he did very well during the winter camp in Spain. He also did very well against Everton in a friendly. He deserved to play, so I’m happy to give him the opportunity – it’s about deserving it.
He has to be ready, we have to step up, I think we have a strong team today. Licha, it’s his first time back, but he’s had some good training sessions and will be ready for this game. You always have to play your game, which means 100 per cent focus.
100 per cent energy, no matter who the opponent is. Always respect the opponent, but play your own game.
Teams:
Manchester United:
Heaton, Dalot, Maguire (c), Martinez, Malacia, Fred, Mainoo, McTominay, Elanga, Antony, Garnacho.
Substitutes: De Gea, Lindelof, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Eriksen, Pellistri, Iqbal, Rashford.
Charlton:
Maynard-Brewer; Clare, Inniss, Ness, Sessegnon; Morgan, Dobson (c), Fraser; Rak-Sakyi, Leaburn, Blackett-Taylor
Substitutes: MacGillivray, O’Connell, Lavelle, Chin, Henry, Payne, Kirk, Jaiyesimi, Stockley
’21 GOAL 1-0 United
Maguire launches another long diagonal ball to the left, finding Malacia on the wing. He controls it and plays it back to Garnacho who finds Fred. Fred spreads it out to Antony on the righthand side edge of the box. Antony takes two touches and then curls it, with his left foot, into the top right corner. It’s a beauty!
’34 Dalot off for Wan-Bissaka
’35 Fred hits the post with a free kick from about 25 yards out.
Halftime: 1-0 United. Comfortable enough, but Elanga and McTominay are having no impact. A bit more attacking quality and United would be a few more up.
60′ Eriksen, Rashford and Casemiro on for Mainoo, Antony and Fred. Rashford through the middle. Elanga goes out to the right.
’76 Charlton’s keeper handles the ball outside the area. The referee misses it. Charlton break and eventually Malacia gives away a free kick on the edge of the box. Luckily for the referee and United the freekick is practically a backpass that Heaton easily catches.
’80 Garnacho’s cutback found Eriksen. His shot from close in is blocked for a corner. The corner comes in, and Martinez scores from the most offside position possible.
’83 Eriksen again. Great save from the keeper low down to his left. Corner.
’84 Pellistri comes on for Elanga before Eriksen’s corner is cleared.
Into the last five of normal time. United look more likely to score but anything can happen.
’87 Freekick to Charlton. A lovely break from United but it ends up with the keeper. Pellistri looking good. He had a fantastic break and then moments later showed calm in his own box.
’89 Goal! Rashford. Casemiro sprays a ball out to Pellestri who glibes forward before slipping it into Rashford in the box. Rashford draws the keeper in before beating him to his left.
And Relax. United 2-0. It’s all over bar the shouting. United are through to the semi-finals of the League Cup.
’90+4 Goal! 3-0 Rashford thumps home inside the penalty box. Assit from Casemiro!