Man United beat Charlton 3-0 in their League Cup quarter-final through goals from Antony and Marcus Rashford.

Rashford and Pellistri impressed

Kobbie Mainoo was not born when Tom Heaton first stepped onto the Old Trafford pitch and yet the Manchester United academy’s two most recent full debutants lined up together against Charlton.

For Heaton, the moment came exactly 7,200 days on from when Heaton lifted the FA Youth Cup, undeniably the longest wait for a full United debut. He crowned it with a clean sheet and has to be in contention for a semi-final selection.

Even in these fallow times, semi-final appearances are frequent for United. There were four under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag has scheduled one at the earliest opportunity for later this month.

From the Class of 2003 to Class of 2022, Mainoo barely had to wait. Those fortunate to witness the 17-year-old Mainoo conduct United’s play in their triumphant Youth Cup campaign last year will have enthused about him to those who asked “Kobbie who?” as they shuffled along to their seat.

Mainoo is so technically proficient he could have been developed at La Masia. Barcelona’s academy is a cultural sibling of Ajax’s, so little wonder Ten Hag has taken a shine to the Stockport-born teenager.

Ten Hag named Mainoo on the bench against Newcastle in October and he earned two halves in the friendlies with Cadiz and Real Betis last month, scoring in the former. A breakthrough seemed inevitable sooner rather than later.

Mainoo’s inclusion in a heavily-rotated team provided some intrigue against League One Charlton on their first appearance at Old Trafford since February 2007. Whatever the tier of the opponent, United are still merciful in front of goal and Charlton were obdurate enough for Ten Hag to introduce Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford on the hour.

“How s–t must you be, it’s only 1-0?” enquired the Londoners. Ten Hag grew exasperated with United’s leniency, reminding the careless Alejandro Garnacho to glance across the line after he was flagged for the second successive time.

Charlton, attacking the east stand where their 9,000 supporters were housed, remained competitive if unthreatening until Rashford killed the tie with his eighth goal in as many home games.

Rashford clinically scored a second in added time from Casemiro’s pass. Facundo Pellistri, finally introduced to Old Trafford in the 83rd minute, was influential at both ends.

United played patiently and purposefully without muddying Charlton ‘keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer’s kit for 80 minutes. Their considered build-up play was rewarded with a majestic 21st minute goal by Antony, his fifth for the club and the best yet. It was identical to the Brazilian’s meaningless curler in the derby and opponents show him inside onto his left foot at their peril.

Antony displayed the character to marry the quality. He and Scott McTominay were summoned to the touchline during a stoppage for Sean Clare to be treated and, not for the first time this season, there was a tetchy exchange between the right-sided duo of Antony and Diogo Dalot.

The Portuguese speakers were later summoned a second time; Antony still piqued with Dalot over something or other. Ten Hag gave the latter short shrift and a minute later the injured Dalot departed.

It was a quirk of the first half Marynard-Brewer did not make a save. His first was in the 65h minute. The proactive Fred saw one goalbound effort bounce off a head and he struck the inside of the post direct from a free-kick. Peculiarly, Fred was among the trio of players hooked on the hour.

Harry Maguire gave Mainoo one final pep talk seconds prior to kick-off and Maguire did not lack confidence against admittedly limited opponents. His passing range was adventurous on an evening Ten Hag could have caused a stir by confirming Maguire’s fifth-choice status in the centre-back pecking order. Victor Lindelof was an unused substitute.

Ten Hag’s derby XI is shaping up to be predictable, a reflection of United’s winning ways. Dalot and Lisandro Martinez needed starts after a period of inactivity while Antony missed United’s five matches before the World Cup and required some additional match rhythm. United are also devoid of a credible alternative on the right flank.

Alas, Dalot was an enforced withdrawal in the 35th minute. City mercilessly targeted his replacement, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, in both derbies last season.

Garnacho, Mainoo’s teammate in the Class of 2022, will be a potential game-changer off the bench on Saturday and he fired two attempts, created one chance and drew one foul before the 10-minute mark.

Dalot, guilty of lofting Garnacho’s pull-back into the stands, received a gruff reaction from Ten Hag to his wastefulness, the United manager outstretching his arms and pointing to his temples. Garnacho succumbed to frivolousness, so frequent did United venture into the Charlton area.

The evening ended with another long-awaited debut. Pellistri was as bright as a button, drawing applause for his doggedness before he cannily used Scott McTominay’s overlap as a decoy to find the prolific Rashford.

Pellistri had waited two years, three months and five days.

Source: dailylifeworld.com