Marcus Rashford scored twice late on against Charlton Athletic. (Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Marcus Rashford smashed Wayne Rooney’s record by scoring for the eighth home game in succession after stepping off the bench to score twice in Manchester United’s 3-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
The academy graduate, who came off the bench on the hour mark, scored twice late on to help United secure their place in the semi-finals of the competition for the third time in the last four seasons. The Reds were on course for a narrow 1-0 win, courtesy of Antony’s sumptuous first-half effort.
However, Rashford, who has now scored 15 goals in all competitions this season, settled the nerves late on, scoring in the 90th and 94th minutes of the contest. For his first goal, he latched onto fellow substitute and debutant Facundo Pellistri’s smart pass and poked the ball past Addicks goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
His second goal arrived after he latched onto a brilliant defence-splitting pass from Casemiro and fired home emphatically to continue his excellent run of form. His first goal, however, was the one that saw him surpass Rooney’s long-standing record, meaning he is now just one game shy of equalling Dennis Viollet’s club-record of scoring in nine consecutive home games.
Rashford’s excellent run of form at Old Trafford started against Europa League minnows Sheriff Tiraspol on October 27. He then added to his tally against West Ham United in the Premier League and Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup ahead of the World Cup pause.
He has continued to shine since the mid-season hiatus, scoring against Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Everton and Charlton in M16. He also found the net against Wolves at Molineux on New Year’s Eve, meaning he has now scored seven goals in his last six appearances.
Rashford’s late penalty against Everton in the FA Cup last Friday saw him equal Rooney’s record of scoring in seven successive Old Trafford fixtures, a record he set back in 2012. The former will now have ambitions of matching Viollet’s record when the Reds welcome cross-city rivals Manchester City to Old Trafford on Saturday.
Source:manchestereveningnews.co.uk
