Erik ten Hag issues rallying cry after Man Utd reach Carabao Cup semi-finals

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted he is only bothered about winning the Carabao Cup and not just making the semi-finals following Tuesday’s win against Charlton.

The Red Devils reached the last four of this competition for the third time in four seasons with a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.

Antony opened the scoring with a pearler in the first half before substitute Marcus Rashford grabbed a brace in second half stoppage time, killing any hope of a late Charlton comeback.

Speaking post-match, Ten Hag said that he was impressed with his side’s performance, but is focused on going all the way in the Carabao Cup and not simply advancing to the next round.

“[The performance was] quite good, I’m quite happy with it. I think we started the game very well, there was good energy and good focus. We pinned them in their half, created chances, a lot of threat and big opportunities,” he said.

“I think Alejandro Garnacho was good at one-on-ones, and then we make a great goal. A brilliant goal, a team goal, but the finishing from Antony dos Santos was great.”

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When asked if he was worried about Charlton getting back into the game, Ten Hag replied: “You never know. They put on one striker more, they were more opportune, I don’t think we really allowed them [chances], but also we stepped [up] offensively.

“I think [Facundo] Pellistri came in and he was lively, he had a good assist with Rashford finishing. And 3-0, it was a little over the top then, but I think before we had the chances to finish this game early on.

“[Reaching] the last four is nothing. It’s only about winning. But you have to go from game to game, from leg to leg. We’ll see who’s coming out of the draw and we will prepare well. Now we go to another league, the Premier League, so we leave this game behind and move forward.”