Man Utd, Newcastle ease into League Cup semi-finals

Man Utd, Newcastle ease into League Cup semi-finals

AFP
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:22 PM
Antony (right) fired Manchester United into the League Cup semi-finals
Antony (right) fired Manchester United into the League Cup semi-finals. Photo: Oli SCARFF / AFP
Source: AFP

Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score twice as Manchester United beat Charlton 3-0 to reach the League Cup semi-finals on Tuesday while Newcastle saw off Leicester 2-0.

A youthful United side featured eight changes as Erik ten Hag had one eye on Saturday's derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford.

One of those retained in the starting line-up from Friday's 3-1 win over Everton, Antony, made the breakthrough with a sumptuous strike on 21 minutes.

Charlton were roared on by a travelling support of 9,000 and the third-tier side kept the tie alive despite Ten Hag introducing Casemiro, Rashford and Christian Eriksen off the bench for the final half hour.

Rashford finally made the game safe for the hosts in the 90th minute, scoring for the eighth straight game at Old Trafford.

The England international then took his tally for the season to 15 with a thumping finish from Casemiro's pass deep into stoppage time.

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Newcastle are into the semi-finals of the League Cup for the first time since 1976. Eddie Howe's men are trying to end a 54-year wait for silverware on Tyneside.

The Magpies swept Leicester aside in a recent 3-0 win at the King Power in the Premier League and only a lack of ruthlessness from the hosts kept the Foxes in the game for an hour at St. James' Park.

Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson were guilty of passing up big chances before half-time.

Dan Burn put Newcastle on course for a first League Cup semi-final since 1976
Dan Burn put Newcastle on course for a first League Cup semi-final since 1976. Photo: Paul ELLIS / AFP
Source: AFP

Instead, it was the unlikely figure of Dan Burn who opened the scoring. The giant left-back slotted home coolly with his right foot.

Joelinton quickly doubled Newcastle's lead with a calm finish from Miguel Almiron's pass to leave the home fans dreaming of a visit to Wembley next month.

Manchester City remain favourites for the competition they have won four times in the last five years with Pep Guardiola's men in quarter-final action away to Southampton on Wednesday.

Nottingham Forest host Wolves in the other last eight tie.

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