Man Utd 7-0 Barnsley: Marcus Rashford double helps Erik ten Hag's side humiliate Barnsley in Carabao Cup

A revitalized Marcus Rashford netted two goals as Manchester United dominated League One team Barnsley with a 7-0 victory at Old Trafford, advancing to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and providing Erik ten Hag with his most significant win as head coach.

Rashford, who spearheaded the attack for United, finally found the back of the net after a six-month goal drought during Saturday's 3-0 victory over Southampton. Ten Hag's choice to retain him in the lineup proved wise, as he scored the fifth goal with a assured first-time shot.

"Whenever I notice Marcus Rashford's smile, it puts me at ease. I feel relaxed and sure that he will find the back of the net,” Ten Hag shared with Sky Sports following the match.

At 26 years old, he could have scored three goals but chose to let Antony take a penalty. Antony hadn't found the back of the net since April, but he successfully converted his penalty against Gabriel Slonina, who was on loan from Chelsea, in the Barnsley goal.

Alejandro Garnacho, who started the match against Southampton on the bench, managed to find the net twice. He netted his first goal just before halftime, tapping in from close range, and later added another to make the score 4-0 with a calm finish after Christian Eriksen sliced through the weak Barnsley defense on a counterattack.

Eriksen netted two goals in quick succession toward the end of the match, just four minutes apart. He first converted a cross from substitute Bruno Fernandes and then beautifully bent a shot into the bottom corner for the seventh goal. This marked his first club goals in over a year.

United, who will find out who they will face in the Carabao Cup fourth round during next Wednesday's draw, are back in Premier League action this Saturday night against Crystal Palace, with the match available to watch live on Sky Sports.

Watch Rashford Score Against Barnsley!

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Ten Hag: Happiness Is Key For Rashford

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There were times last season when it seemed like Rashford's prospects at United were hopeless, and many believed that looking for a new opportunity was the only way to rejuvenate his career.

However, United manager Ten Hag has remained supportive of his striker, and that trust has paid off. Just five matches into this season, Rashford is close to reaching half of the total eight goals he scored throughout the last season.

Although those three goals were scored against less challenging teams like Southampton and Barnsley, Rashford is starting to regain a sense of confidence similar to what he had during his first season under Ten Hag, when he found the net 30 times.

When asked about Rashford's performance, Ten Hag shared with Sky Sports, "During my first season, he had a similarly positive energy and attitude."

"When I catch a glimpse of Marcus Rashford's smile, I feel relaxed and assured that he’s going to find the back of the net."

More challenging challenges lie ahead that will ultimately determine if Rashford has returned to his peak performance, beginning with Saturday’s match at Selhurst Park. However, the indications are encouraging after a year of struggle.

Rashford: I Must Achieve Consistency

After the match, Rashford stayed humble and didn't want to overstate his performance. However, he's optimistic that scoring twice will help him regain the kind of form that made him a key player for Ten Hag at the start of his time at Old Trafford.

"Football has its highs and lows, and it's important to use each match to build momentum and establish consistency. The goal is to give your all and perform at your best in every game," he shared with Sky Sports.

"It's too soon to determine if the goals will continue to flow, but I'm optimistic. We'll shift our attention to the upcoming match, take some time to rest and recover, and concentrate on what lies ahead."

"I believe our performance as a forward line and in midfield was impressive today."

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"How Rashford Can Support Garnacho's Growth"

Rashford's comeback drew attention away from the 19-year-old Garnacho, who made a notable impact by scoring and providing two assists at Old Trafford.

Garnacho was determined to show his worth after sitting on the sidelines during the game against Southampton, where he made an impact by scoring the third goal after coming on as a substitute.

The forward has kicked off the season strongly, contributing to a goal approximately every 37 minutes over the course of six matches, which includes the penalty shootout loss to Manchester City in the Community Shield.

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Garnacho rose to the occasion during crucial moments last season, particularly with his goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. However, he struggled to keep up a consistent performance as his teammates didn't help lighten the load when it came to scoring goals.

Both of Rashford's goals were set up by Garnacho, and Ten Hag is hopeful that the Mancunian forward's regained confidence will help prevent the team from becoming too dependent on the young talent's abilities.

"Goals shouldn't just rely on Marcus Rashford," Ten Hag stated following the match. "We need additional players who can score, but I remember from my first season that when he finds the net, it makes things simpler for the team to have someone in the squad who can consistently deliver goals."

In that case, it can really matter. You can excel in many aspects of the game outside of the penalty areas, but ultimately, matches are won or lost in those critical zones.

"I anticipate this kind of drive from my colleagues, especially those who are at the peak of their careers. However, we also have some individuals with great potential who are eager to achieve success. What matters even more to them is the desire to win—whether it's games or championships."

Confidence plays a significant role, although it's not the sole factor; there are other elements involved as well. However, I believe Rashford stands out. He has scored numerous goals and ranks among the top scorers for the current United team, which highlights his importance and skill on the field.

In Rashford's initial season with Ten Hag, a major criticism aimed at United was the absence of goals from other players. Now that Garnacho has matured over the past two years, there’s a stronger offensive presence in the Dutch coach's lineup.

'Positive Indicators for Manchester United'

Sure! Please provide the specific section from the blog about Sky Sports' Izzy Christiansen that you’d like me to rewrite.

Manchester United had several positive highlights during the game.

"What will likely impress Ten Hag the most is the players' professionalism and their commitment to staying focused on the job at hand during the match against Barnsley."

When examining a victory like that, it's important to notice the small details, and I saw plenty, particularly in the attitude of the Manchester United players. They were completely focused and engaged.

They can carry a lot of energy from this outcome into their match against Crystal Palace this weekend.

Things are looking positive for them. However, it’s still early in the season, so I doubt anyone at the club is getting overly excited at this point.

"However, the team appears to be in great shape, and there is healthy competition for positions."

Barnsley’s Clarke Angry Over Team Performance

Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke, a lifelong fan of United, departed from Old Trafford feeling disappointed.

"I tried my best with them, but I wasn't satisfied with how it turned out," he stated.

"I realize we faced Manchester United, a team filled with top-notch players, but I wasn't satisfied with our performance. Mael (de Gevigney) was the only one who stands out positively."

Did the moment affect some of them? Quite possibly. We need to recognize what it really means to be a top athlete.

"Never let me catch anyone saying that some Premier League players aren't good. They're way off the mark."

"The players were far from the level of a top Barnsley player tonight, let alone that of a top Premier League player."

"It was a night to be proud of for me, but the performance overshadowed it."

What's Next For United?

Saturday, September 21st - The game starts at 5:00 PM, with kickoff at 5:30 PM.

Ten Hag managed to silence the distractions by securing a victory over Southampton on Saturday, and he will now aim to build on this success in the Premier League.

United will take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their upcoming match, and you can catch the live broadcast of this game on Sky Sports this Saturday.

Oliver Glasner's team is still on the hunt for their first victory in the top division this season, after managing draws in consecutive matches against Chelsea and Leicester City.