Manchester United are through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after a comfortable 7-0 victory over EFL League One side Barnsley at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford scored a brilliant individual goal for Manchester United before Antony won and converted a first-half penalty to make it two for the Red Devils.
Alejandro Garnacho scored twice for the Red Devils before Rashford added a fifth for the Red Devils in the second half. Christian Eriksen got in on the act late on twice to make it 7-0.
Here are five things we learned from United’s comfortable victory over Barnsley.
Marcus Rashford continues good form
After a brilliant goal and performance against Southampton over the weekend, Rashford was given another starting role by Erik ten Hag as a striker.
The Englishman looks to have taken his good from St Mary’s into this game against Barnsley as it was a brilliant individual move from Rashford on the right as he cut inside and passed the Barnsley defender before rifling the ball into the top corner.
Rashford was sent in by Garnacho to slot in for five and looks back to his best. After what had been a poor start to the season for Rashford, the hope will be that three goals in two games will be the start of something special.
Antony proves himself against Barnsley
United’s game against Barnsley was surely one of Antony’s last chances to impress at Old Trafford with Amad Diallo and Garnacho ahead of the Brazilian in the pecking order.
After winning the penalty for the Red Devils, Antony stepped up and slotted the ball into the corner to hand United a two goal lead.
Antony has been linked to a move to Fenerbahce but he will be hoping that this can be the springboard for him and it is vital he grows from this.
Manuel Ugarte’s full debut
Rather than sticking to the one defensive midfield pivot, Erik ten Hag decided to start both Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro in the pivot role for the Red Devils.
The pair both looked much improved and the gaps in midfield were certainly not as large as they were against Liverpool, for example, but the signs were promising.
Kobbie Mainoo was on the bench for United so it does seem that the teenager will come back into the lineup but it is food for thought for Ten Hag.
Alejandro Garnacho shows his quality
After coming on from the bench and scoring for United against Southampton, Garnacho was handed a starting berth against Barnsley.
After some fortune following Rashford being dispossessed, the Argentine pounced to poke the ball in to make it 3-0 and then was sent free in on goal and scored yet again with an unerring finish into the corner for four.
For Ten Hag, this can only be a good headache for the Dutchman with Amad Diallo and Garnacho fighting it out for the right-wing spot as it seems crystal clear that Rashford will be starting on the left.
Altay Bayindir makes just his second start
Altay Bayindir was handed a start for United by Ten Hag with Andre Onana handed a rare rest for the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
Truth be told, the Turkish goalkeeper had very little to do but this can only be a confidence boost for the United number two.
Bayindir started last year’s game against Newport County but has not been seen since until now following tonight’s victory.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/bmos4F8