MANCHESTER UNITED ran rampant against Barnsley to reach the next round of the EFL Cup – thanks to a wilful Marcus Rashford.
A much needed confidence boost for Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho saw the Red Devils run out 7-0 winners at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford fired United ahead with a smart finish[/caption]
Antony won and scored his penalty after being brought down by Gabriel Slonina[/caption]
Barnsley came out the traps quickly, but swiftly dropped into a back five to nullify United after Rashford’s twinkle toe solo opener.
But two goals a piece from Rashford, Garnacho and Eriksen put saw the Red Devils humiliate League One outfit Barnsley – not matter the gulf between the two sides.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated every Man Utd player…
Altay Bayindir – 6
Desperate to show Erik ten Hag want he can do.
But it was a quiet evening for the Turkish keeper after Barnsley registered zero shots on target and one corner.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Started with a point to prove after his horror show at Southampton on Saturday.
Harry Maguire – 6
A couple of good interceptions in the second half and a cracking 40 yard run in the 70th minute.
Otherwise a quiet evening for the England centre-half as Barnsley collapsed.
Jonny Evans – 6
He was not much better than his centre-back pairing but has spent a lot of time out injured recently.
Toby Collyer – 5
Looked uncomfortable at left-back at times. Conceded several free-kicks down the right for Barnsley.
Casemiro – 6
Surprise captain after a difficult start to the Premier League season, but was solid.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Committed four fouls in the opening 30 minutes. Must’ve been his nerves on his first full United debut.
Lucky to avoid a yellow card and was left bleeding after a challenge from away skipper Luca Connell.
But that’s what Ugarte’s come to United to do – break up play. But if carries on like this, bet on him being sent-off at some point this season.
Antony – 7
Couldn’t get past Barnsley full-back O’Keeffe before scoring the penalty he won for United’s second in the 35th minute. And he really needed that.
Christian Eriksen – 6
Linked up with Dalot well, but was left too deep at times which negatively impacted his forward impact on the game.
Great curling ball for Garnacho’s second after a quick pass from Rashford.
Scored twice late on with a training ground tap in in the 81st and a sleek finish four minutes later after two assists from Bruno Fernandes. It’s his first time scoring since August 2023.
Alejandro Garnacho – 8
Delightful cross pitch assist for Rashford, but was wasteful early on and had a bad miss in the 69th minute after a great passage of play.
Netted a brace either side of half-time. First running onto Rashford’s inadvertent pass to poke home United’s third from six yards out.
Before climbing onto a great pass from Eriksen and slotting home again to utilise all the space behind Barnsley’s defence.
Garnacho was unstoppable don’t the left hand flank[/caption]
Marcus Rashford – 8
Opened scoring inside 16 minutes from the No9 position after cutting inside two players and keeping his composure to smash past Slonina’s top corner.
Notched his second of the game after a horror mistake from the Barnsley centre-back. The ketchup bottle is still open.
Worked hard to keep the ball alive for Garnacho’s goal.
Bruno Fernandes (’63 for Ugarte) – 7
Not sure why Ten Hag brought the captain, who hardly ever gets a break, on at 5-0. But he assisted both of Eriksen’s goals nonetheless.
Joshua Zirkzee (’63 for Rashford) – 6
Tried to get involved and looked lively. Huge eruption from fans when subbed on with the others.
Noussair Mazraoui (’63 for Dalot) – 5
De Ligt (’78 for Evans) – 5
Amad Diallo (’83 for Garnacho) – 6
Won the ball high for Eriksen’s second.
