Antony stunner and Rashford double keep trophy hopes alive

He also benefited from the long diagonal passes of Harry Maguire, making just his seventh start of the season. One of the United captain’s passes found Garnacho who found room to shoot into the side-netting. 

Maguire’s start, along with £190 million of signings on the bench, pointed to Ten Hag using the tie to use his second string. Yet it was one of his big summer signings who opened the scoring, doing so in spectacular fashion. 

United were happily passing the ball in front of Charlton’s backline as they sat on the edge of their area, yet they gave Antony too much time when he received the ball 25 yards from goal. Before there was a chance to sense danger, the Brazilian had curled the ball into the top corner. 

The £82million summer signing from Ajax has used the cups to find his goalscoring form. He had not scored since mid-October until finding the net against Everton in the FA Cup at the weekend, and now had two in four days. 

Ten Hag also started Lisandro Martinez for the first time since the Argentina centre-back won the World Cup in Qatar, easing him back into the team and getting him ready for the Manchester derby at the weekend when he will be tested by the strength and height of Erling Haaland. 

He had to deal with the physical presence of Miles Leaburn, son of former Charlton striker Carl, as Holden’s team looked to counter attack swiftly when they won possession back. United were also dealt a blow when Dalot went down injured before the break and was subbed off for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Fred could have added to the scoreline when his free-kick hit the post. 

There were other chances for United to add to the scoring in the second half too. Elanga thought he had doubled the lead when he had the ball in the net but was flagged for offside. Garnacho also created another chance for himself and saw an effort saved by Ashley Maynard-Brewer as it headed to the top corner. 

Charlton’s best chance came through Scott Fraser, who fired over the bar from a good position early in the second half. As the game wore on, Ten Hag called for his subs like Casemiro and Christian Eriksen to see out the game. Rashford, another sub, found the net for the sixth game in a row in the final minute and in stoppage time.