'The last four is nothing' – Ten Hag wants more as Man Utd reach EFL Cup semi-finals

'The last four is nothing' – Ten Hag wants more as Man Utd reach EFL Cup semi-finals

Erik ten Hag set his sights on ending Manchester United's six-year trophy drought after Marcus Rashford's double helped them past Charlton Athletic in Tuesday's EFL Cup quarter-final.

Having replaced Antony – who had given United the lead with a brilliant curling effort – on the hour mark at Old Trafford, Rashford scored twice in the dying moments to seal a 3-0 win over the League One side.

Rashford's brace ensured safe passage to the final four for United, who have not won a major trophy since Jose Mourinho delivered an EFL Cup and Europa League double in 2017. 

Ten Hag's hopes of ending that wait have been boosted by back-to-back home wins in the two domestic cups, and the Dutchman is eager for United to go further.

"The last four is nothing. It's only about winning," Ten Hag told Sky Sports. "But you have to go from game to game. We'll see what comes out of the draw, then we'll prepare well."

United missed several chances to wrap up victory before Rashford took centre-stage, leaving Ten Hag somewhat frustrated by their wastefulness.

"I'm quite happy. We started the game very well with good energy and good focus, and pinned them in their half," he said.

"We created chances, big opportunities, and then we made a brilliant goal. It's a team goal, but the finish from Antony was great.

"They put on another striker but I think we didn't allow them [chances]. Before, we had the chances. We should have finished this game early on."

United have won each of their six matches since the World Cup, with Rashford netting in every game (a total of seven goals).

Rashford's tally of 20 goal contributions this campaign (15 goals, five assists) is now double that of his closest team-mate (Christian Eriksen with 10), leading United captain Harry Maguire to lavish praise on the forward.  

"I probably haven't seen him in better goalscoring form, but I know what he's capable of. I've seen him here for four years now, and for England before that," Maguire told MUTV.

"I can't speak highly enough of his talent, and it's really good to see him playing with a smile on his face. 

"He's a really important player for us and if we're going to do well this season, we need him firing. I'm really pleased he's doing that for the side and for himself."

More News on this


Guardiola insists Man Utd silverware has no impact on City

Guardiola insists Man Utd silverware has no impact on City


Manchester City watched rivals Manchester United win their first trophy in six years last weekend, but that EFL Cup final success had no impact on Pep Guardiola's men.

Man United defeated Newcastle United – City's Premier League opponents on Saturday – 2-0 at Wembley to mark a new high point in Erik ten Hag's impressive debut season at Old Trafford.

Read more
Ten Hag hails Casemiro's role in ending trophy drought

Ten Hag hails Casemiro's role in ending trophy drought


Erik ten Hag believes Casemiro has injected a winning mentality into Manchester United since arriving from Real Madrid.

Sunday's Carabao Cup triumph — which ended a six-year trophy drought for the Red Devils — means the Brazilian has now won his last nine major finals and 13 of 14 over the course of a glittering career.

Read more
Guardiola tells United 'welcome back' after Carabao Cup win

Guardiola tells United 'welcome back' after Carabao Cup win


If Manchester United are not already back, they will be "sooner or later", according to rival manager Pep Guardiola.

United beat Newcastle 2-0 in Sunday's Carabao Cup final to win their first major honour in six years.

Read more
Cole says Ten Hag's on right path but it is too soon to claim United are back

Cole says Ten Hag's on right path but it is too soon to claim United are back


Erik ten Hag is putting in the right building blocks to get Manchester United challenging for the biggest honours once again but it is too soon to declare the Red Devils are back, says Andrew Cole.

United earned their first piece of major silverware in six years by beating Newcastle 2-0 in Sunday's Carabao Cup final at Wembley, with first-half goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford enough to seal victory.

Read more