Kobbie Mainoo pre-debut pep talk and other moments missed from Manchester United vs Charlton
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Manchester United have progressed through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals by beating League One side Charlton at Old Trafford on Tuesday night. Goals from Antony and record-breaking substitute Marcus Rashford (two) led United to their eighth straight win in all competitions.
Erik ten Hag shuffled his pack for the last-eight meeting with one eye on the Manchester derby. But that decision was fully vindicated with a reasonable performance from those hoping to stake their claim for more regular match-time in the coming weeks and months.
However, that man Rashford also had a major say in the dying embers as he came off the bench to score twice and become the first United player to score in eight consecutive home games – breaking Wayne Rooney’s record. Here are four other moments you might have missed.
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Mrs Holden ‘sheds a tear’ before match
Charlton manager Dean Holden could have been forgiven for sitting in the wrong seat on Tuesday night. A proud United match-goer for several seasons, the 43-year-old remains a season ticket holder at Old Trafford as he finally got to sit front and centre for the action. It was a fantastic occasion for Holden and his loved ones, with 31 family members in the stands to witness his finest hour. The Holden contingent included his wife, Danielle, in the directors’ box, where she was spotted ‘shedding a tear’ by BBC 5Live’s Ian Dennis before the quarter-final tie got underway. Who can blame her?
Maguire pep talk for United debutant
Kobbie Mainoo would have been feeling extra nervous before kick-off after Ten Hag named him in the starting line-up for his senior debut. That is understandable for any player given the grand stage at Old Trafford, but the teenager is yet to turn 18 and this was a significant moment for his burgeoning career and young life to date. Returning with the armband on, £80million captain Harry Maguire took it upon himself to pass on some last words of wisdom to his young teammate in a nice exchange when the two sides had emerged from the iconic tunnel.
Dalot ‘jumping for joy’ at Antony stunner
United are sweating over Diogo Dalot before the Manchester derby after he was forced off with an injury scare on 34 minutes against League One opponents. His inclusion was not surprising, as such, but it was a slight risk given his recent hamstring problem. Reunited with Antony down the right-hand side, Dalot looked more delighted than the Brazil forward himself when he opened the scoring for United with a trademark curler. Dalot carried Antony proudly above his shoulders after doing his best to keep out of the way of that stunning strike.
United defender subject to odd booing
It might have been bemusing to hear (more than) one or two boos ring out at the Old Trafford stadium when Aaron Wan-Bissaka stepped onto the field. It was, of course, coming from the 9,000-strong travelling supporters who cheered Charlton and jeered Wan-Bissaka every step of the way, not that the United player had done anything wrong, mind. It was simply down to a historic rivalry between the Addicks and his former club Crystal Palace!
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