Ten Hag satisfied with Man United's League Cup win but wanted game finished earlier

Premier League club defeated Charlton 3-0 to reach semi-finals as a late Rashford double guaranteed victory

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal in the 3-0 League Cup quarter-final win against Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford on January 10, 2023. AP

Marcus Rashford scores United's third goal past Charlton goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer. AP

Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring the second goal. AFP

Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring United's second goal. AP

United midfielder Antony celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal. AFP

Antony, right, celebrates with Diogo Dalot. AP

Antony celebrates after scoring the opening goal. AP

'Fred The Red' greets Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag before the match. AFP

United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka tackles Charlton's Corey Blackett-Taylor. AFP

Fred hits the post with a free-kick. AFP

Anthony Elanga of Manchester United battles for possession with Lucas Ness. Getty

Charlton Athletic's Scott Fraser takes a free kick. Reuters

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag with Christian Eriksen. Reuters

Charlton's Australian goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer gathers the ball. AFP

United's Dutch defender Tyrell Malacia battles with Charlton's Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. AFP

Erik ten Hag said he was pleased Manchester United “did the job” to beat Charlton Athletic in the League Cup quarter-finals but insisted his team should have finished off the tie earlier.

Brazilian winger Antony gave United a 21st-minute lead at Old Trafford but it wasn't until Marcus Rashford's late double did the hosts guarantee their place in the semi-finals.

“I said before we have to reach the semi-finals and we did the job,” United manager Ten Hag said. “We had to finish the game early on but, in the end, the objective was getting to the semi-final, so compliments to the team.

“The only thing I'm not happy with is we had to finish the game early on, finish the scoring chances or take an extra pass.”

Rashford, on as second-half substitute, extended his fine run of form with a well-taken brace which took his goal tally to seven in his last seven games and 15 for the season across all club competitions.

“I have said many times, when he brings himself in the position, when the team brings him in the position, one-on-ones, he will score,” Ten Hag said. “And that is what he is doing in this moment. So, if he keeps the focus and putting the same effort in, he will keep continuing scoring.”

Charlton manager Dean Holden said he was proud of his team's effort but urged his players to refocus for Saturday's League One match against Barnsley.

Man United v Charlton player ratings

“Pride in the performance and pride in the way we showed ourselves as a football club — on and off the pitch,” said Holden. “We rode our luck for the first 20 minutes but we defended the box really well — which club comes here and doesn’t have to ride their luck in the Premier League? We grew into the game on the back of that.

“We were so close. How many times on the counter-attack were we close to finding that last pass, that final moment? We just couldn’t find it. I’m disappointed with losing the game. We’re trying to get a winning culture into the team.

“This can’t be after the lord mayor’s show,” Holden added. “We’ve got Barnsley to take care off at the weekend.”