Marcus Rashford denoted his return from World Cup obligation with a splendid independent objective as Manchester Joined progressed into the quarter-finals of the Association Cup on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Burnley while Chief Association rivals Brighton was taken out by third-level Charlton.
United’s first match since the World Cup was also their first since the dramatic departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from Old Trafford and the Glazer family’s announcement that they were ready to sell the football giants.
Denmarks Christian Eriksen, who also played at Qatar 2022, scored from close range to give the Red Devils the lead in the 27th minute.
Marcus scored three goals for England at the World Cup
Rashford, who scored three goals for England at the World Cup, superbly doubled United’s lead just before the hour mark against Burnley, second-tier Championship leaders managed by former Manchester City star Vincent Kompany.
England forward made a run from inside his own half and into the visitors’ penalty area before firing a low shot into the goal.
Rashford stated to Sky Sports, “There is space in front of you and you are almost waiting for the right time to get a pass off, but the gap opened and thankfully it went in.”
This was Rashford’s first game since England’s agonizing World Cup quarterfinal loss to France, and the forward said, “No time to feel sorry.” Being knocked out was such a disappointing feeling, and you must pick yourself up.
“You don’t have time to be sorry for yourself. You have to get results, and thankfully today we did.”
Erik ten Hag, manager of United, added: Despite the fact that there is still room for improvement, I am pleased with the victory.
Kompany, the manager of Burnley, was pleased with his team’s performance, stating: We didn’t back down; instead, we were aggressive, on the front foot, and we made some chances.
Three days after their Argentine star Alexis Mac Allister won the World Cup with Argentina in a penalty shootout, Brighton lost on penalties.
Mac Allister was not involved on Wednesday in the wake of being given time off following his World Cup heroics and was accordingly saved any association away to southeast London side Charlton.
The match ended in a goalless draw and went to penalties. An extraordinary shootout began with Pascal Gross, Jayden Stockley, and Leandro Trossard all hitting the crossbar.
Jason Steele of Brighton held off George Dobson and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. That gave Solly March an opportunity to win the game, but the Seagulls star shot high and wide of the crossbar.
After saving Moises Caicedo’s penalty, Addicks goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer allowed Sam Lavelle to score the game-winning goal at The Valley, putting League One Charlton into the quarterfinals with a 4-3 shootout victory.
Roberto De Zerbi, the manager of Brighton, stated, “I’m sorry for the result and sorry for our fans, we wanted to win the game and play in the quarterfinals.”
“We had scoring opportunities. And penalties can result in loss.”
Anthony Hayes, Charlton’s interim manager, said in his final game before Dean Holden, the club’s fifth manager in less than two years, takes over: It was a memorable evening. It lifts everybody up.”
The top-flight strugglers Nottingham Forest defeated Championship high-flyers Blackburn Rovers 4-1, despite Nottingham Forest’s four League Cup victories.
Brennan Johnson’s penalty kick in the 13th minute gave Forest the lead at Ewood Park, but Scott Wharton made up for it by scoring an equalizer on the eve of halftime.
However, Forest advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1994 thanks to additional goals from Jesse Lingard, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Johnson.