Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saluted Marcus Rashford’s wonder-strike as Manchester United defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup. Rashford crashed in an unstoppable drive from 30 yards to secure the win and a place in the last eight.
Chelsea had hauled themselves level through Michy Batshuayi after Rashford opened the scoring from the penalty spot.
But the England international’s stunning free-kick ended Chelsea’s seven-match winning streak and made it three wins on the bounce for United.
Solskjaer not only praised Rashford for his brace, but also the rest of his side, particularly the youngsters, as United went through to the quarter-finals. “Today we were excellent, with fast flowing football. That’s Manchester United. We’re trying to get back to that, he said. “Marcus has that strike in him. I’ve seen him in training so many times. “When you give young lads the experience, like Brandon Williams got tonight – and the kid was outstanding – it’s only going to help them. We know we’re not the finished product, we’re a work in progress and keep trying to improve.”
United took a 25th-minute lead after Daniel James won the spot-kick, the winger getting across Marcos Alonso in the area before tumbling to the deck.
Rashford may have missed a penalty against Norwich at the weekend, but he showed no sign of nerves as he calmly sent Willy Caballero the wrong way.
Chelsea got their equaliser on the hour mark, Batshuayi nodding on Caballero’s clearance before turning away from Harry Maguire.
The Belgian frontman outstripped Maguire and Victor Lindelof before firing past Rojo and into the corner of Sergio Romero’s net.
But Rashford settled the match in the 73rd minute in spectacular fashion, lifting his shot over the wall and underneath Caballero’s crossbar before sliding on his knees in celebration in front of a delirious away end.
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