Man United 7-0 Barnsley: Red Devils run riot to book their spot in the Carabao Cup fourth round as Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen all net braces in thumping win

Manchester United’s Carabao Cup match against Barnsley was a welcome reminder of what Erik ten Hag’s side can achieve. The team showcased the confidence and swagger that often eluded them last season, even in seemingly straightforward games.

With a starting lineup valued at over £300 million, even with two free transfers and three homegrown players, United’s squad was heavily stacked against Barnsley, who were seventh in League One. This kind of depth allowed Ten Hag to rotate his squad, introduce debutants, and simply enjoy a performance that demonstrated the team’s potential.

Such nights have been rare for Ten Hag, making this victory particularly satisfying. It provided a chance to see his team play to their strengths, and it could be a turning point for more consistent performances moving forward.

Marcus Rashford, operating as a centre-forward here, looked energised by his first goal in six months at Southampton on Saturday and added another two. So did Christian Eriksen and Alejandro Garnacho who was practically unstoppable and got a couple of assists.

Antony, who Ten Hag said was chomping at the bit to make his first start of the season, made the most of his opportunity with a performance brimming with energy.