ANTONY MAY NOT have got his hands on the gold trophy he wanted last month.
But with a swish of his left boot he put Manchester United on course for their first piece of silver in six years.
His 21st minute goal against Charlton in this Carabao Cup quarter-final penciled in their place in the last four before Marcus Rashford rubber-stamped it with two late goals of his own.
Antony of course was part of Brazil squad tipped by many to lift the most famous by going all the way in the World Cup in Qatar before they fell at the quarter-final stage to Croatia on penalties.
So while, Lisandro Martinez has been getting all the plaudits on his return to Old Trafford after winning the competition with Argentina, Antony has slipped quietly back into place on the right flank.
But it was from there that he made a big noise as he curled in a shot that decided a game that United had dominated in the first period before Charlton made a fight of it in the second.
No-nonsense boss Ten Hag made it very clear before the game that despite a seven game winning run and the opposition coming from the middle of League one he wanted no let-up.
“They all know that 99 per cent is insufficient. We need 100 per cent focus, concentration and dedication at all times..” he wrote in his programme notes.
He got that in a first half that United totally dominated.
The Red Devils looked every bit the top four Premier League side and Charlton the 12th placed side from the third tier.
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This despite the fact that Ten Hag made eight changes from the side that had beaten Everton last Friday night to progress into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The thing is he has improved so many individuals in his time at Old Trafford and recruited so well that what once looked a flimsy squad now looks strong.
He showed that he is prepared to follow the tradition of giving youth a chance too with a first call up for 17-year-old Stockport born Kobbie Mainoo to play in the number ten role.
Three years after signing 21-year-old Facundo Pellistri even made his first appearance as a late sub.
At the other end of the scale 20 years after joining the club as a trainee, Tom Heaton was making his full debut for the club in goal at the age of 36.
Not that he had a lot to do in the first half with all the action down the other end.
Alejandro Garnacho was looking particularly lively down the left where Harry Maguire twice found him with Crossfield balls.
Both times he chose to cut inside and have a shot of his own but missed the target each time.
The deadlock was broken courtesy of Antony’s fifth goal since his £85million move to Old Trafford from Ajax and his second in successive games after scoring against Everton.
United moved the ball neatly and when Fred fed him wide on the wing the chance came.
He was afforded far too much time and room to do what he likes to do which is cut in from the right and curl a shot with his left.
This one moved perfectly beyond the grasp of Ashley Maynard-Brewer and tucked itself just inside the far post.
Fred almost added to that lead with a 38th minute free kick from 22 yards that crashed off the inside of the left-hand upright.
As far as Charlton were concerned, an Albie Morgan free-kick which flew wide was all they had to offer the 9,000 visiting fans.
Recently appointed Addicks boss Dean Holden had lead his side to much needed back to back wins ahead of this game so changed only the goalkeeper from the side that beat Lincoln.
Holden a United fan once snuck into the ground dressed as a steward to watch United take on Borussia Dortmund back in 1997.
Salford born and still a Red Devils fan he has held a season ticket for 30 years.
But he was desperate to spring a shock against the club he loves and take Charlton further then they have ever gone in the competition.
At 1-0 his side were still in touch and certainly started the second-half like this would be more of a competition.
When Albie Morgan played a ball back to Scott Fraser in space on the edge of the area an early second-half chance opened up but he blazed his shot over.
That would be as near as they would come and a minute from time Marcus Rashford made the game safe when set up by Pellistri to tuck the ball away.
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He would add a second in injury time.
He has now scored in eight successive games here and it is eight wins in a row now for Ten Hag.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
