Dean Holden gives post-match verdict as Charlton do their fans proud in gutsy 3-0 EFL Cup loss to Manchester United

Dean Holden felt his Charlton Athletic side acquitted themselves so well at Manchester United tonight that there was more than a tinge of disappointment that their EFL Cup last-eight clash ended in a loss.

Charlton Athletic did justice to their huge travelling support at Old Trafford – around 9,000 snapping up tickets for their first match at Old Trafford since they were relegated from the Premier League in 2007.

Brazilian winger Antony curled the home side, huge favourites, into a 21st minute lead. But if the home support were expecting an avalanche of goals, or their League One opponents to collapse, they were to be left disappointed.

The Addicks stayed in the contest with United’s dominance of the ball in the first period not translating into many tangible efforts on Ashley Maynard-Brewer’s goal.

Charlton just needed a moment to click down the other end as the home team seemed to gradually lose their composure as the match wore on. Scott Fraser drove off target from the edge of the box in the 47th minute and the Scot, in good scoring form for Dean Holden’s side, also struck a free-kick from the edge of the box straight at Tom Heaton.

United manager Erik ten Hag introduced Casemiro, Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen on the hour and it took another five minutes before they created a serious opportunity, Maynard-Brewer pushing away Alejandro Garnacho’s effort. The Australian keeper, recovered from the concussion which saw him miss Saturday’s win over Lincoln, also produced a fine reaction save to frustrate Eriksen’s snapshot from a Garnacho pass.

England international Rashford finally sealed the outcome in the 90th minute, converting from Facundo Pellistri.

And he helped himself to a double in the dying embers, cruel on Charlton, finishing emphatically from Casemiro’s pass.

“Pride in the performance and pride in the way we showed ourselves as a football club – on and off the pitch,” said Holden. “We rode our luck for the first 20 minutes but we defended the box really well – which club comes here and doesn’t have to ride their luck in the Premier League? We grew into the game on the back of that.

“I said to the players I was really pleased with the belief we showed with the ball at our feet.

“We were so close. How many times on the counter-attack were we close to finding that last pass, that final moment? We just couldn’t find it.

“We came out second half and had a big chance – Fraser – I thought we had a grip of the game at that point. I thought we were in control. I turned to my left and Erik is bringing those three on – Casemiro, Eriksen and Rashford.

“I’m disappointed with losing the game. We’re trying to get a winning culture into the team.

“The only thing I promised when I came into the job is that the players will run through brick walls. Erik invited me in five minutes after the game and he’s talking about some of the quality our youngsters have – that gives me pride.

“I’m disappointed with the goals. The first one Antony, we have to show him on the outside. It’s a world-class finish but we’ve got to do a little bit better.

“You can only show admiration for Casemiro’s pass for the second goal. He zipped it, like watching Steven Gerrard. Top, top class – that’s the level. Rashford does what Rashford does.

“This can’t be after the lord mayor’s show – we’ve got Barnsley to take care off at the weekend.”