“I saw a very different version of him against Barnsley today, he’s a very incredible player despite the fact that his market value is just £23M”- Man United star Fernandez revealed he was super delighted to see incredible £23M teammate delivering his best performance against Barnsley today Not Garnacho and Not Rashford
“I saw a very different version of him against Barnsley today, he’s a very incredible player despite the fact that his market value is just £23M”- Man United star Fernandez revealed he was super delighted to see incredible £23M teammate delivering his best performance against Barnsley today
Manchester United took on Barnsley in the third round of the Carabao Cup with a much-changed line up from their previous assignment against Southampton.
Altay Bayindir made only his second appearance for the club, replacing Andre Onana in nets.
Youngster Toby Collyer was thrown into the fire starting in an unfamiliar left back position with Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire making up the centre back partnership. Diogo Dalot retained his spot in the starting line up.
Christian Eriksen started once more in the centre of midfield with the South American duo of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, with the latter making his full debut and first appearance at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford began up front while Antony and Alejandro Garnacho started on the wings.
Here are four things we learned from the cup tie.
Marcus Rashford builds on weekend strike
After a quiet start to the season, Marcus Rashford got off the mark with a curling effort against Southampton last weekend and quickly built on this effort with a second goal in as many matches after just 16 minutes of action.
It was his seventh goal in eight league cup matches and demonstrated the class he clearly possesses.
He took the ball down well from a long pass, beat a couple of Barnsley defenders with quick feet and fired the ball into the top right hand corner of net.
Rashford turned provider later on in the half as he slid in a wonderful through ball that a grateful Antony ran onto to win a penalty, stumbling over the keeper’s flailing body.
The 26 year old could have easily grabbed the ball for himself but showed great generosity and team spirit to allow Antony to fire home.
He was not yet done tormenting the league one side in the first half as after beating a couple more defenders in the box, a deflection took the ball into the path of Alejandro Garnacho who toe poked the ball home.
Rashford got his name on the score sheet for a second time with a first time left footed finish to score his side’s fifth goal of the game.
He was replaced after 62 minutes by summer signing Joshua Zirkzee with a standing ovation and he will hope this is just the start as he aims to show the world he still has it in his locker to be one of the world’s most dangerous attackers on his day.
Alejandro Garnacho is United’s main goal scoring threat
Last season saw Garnacho rise from an impact bench player to a bona fide starter at the club.
He scored 10 goals in all competitions last season including a stunning overhead kick versus Everton and the opening goal in the FA Cup final.
Oddly, he has only started two of his side’s six opening games but is the club’s top scorer in all competitions.
The youngster was electric grabbing two goals and two assists as he put Barnsley to the sword. His first showed great poacher’s instinct toe poking in a deflection after reacting quickest in the box.
His second showed off his pace as he raced in behind after a fabulous pass from Christian Eriksen and slotted the ball past a helpless keeper.
United’s number 17 is much more than just a scorer though, as a great long ball set up United’s first goal and a clever through ball allowed Rashford to score his second of the night.
Erik ten Hag will be pleased that his attackers seem to be much more in the goals this season than last but there is no doubt that the young Argentine is currently United’s biggest threat in an attacking area.
Christian Erisken still has a role to play
The Dane was frequently linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer but after impressing at the weekend was given another rare start tonight.
Eriksen orchestrated from deep, playing a wonderful pass for Garnacho’s second and United’s fourth of the night.
He also showed his class with two quality finishes late on to put the icing on the cake and perhaps suggest Eriksen still has a major role to play as a United player.
Antony grabs confidence building goal
Few players have suffered as much criticism as Antony over the past two seasons due to his enormous price tag and meagre statistics.
Before the game coach Erik ten Hag claimed that the Brazilian had to fight in training to secure his place in the team, as he is competing with an in-form Amad Diallo for a first team spot.
Antony hardly had his finest game but his penalty strike should hopefully provide him with some much needed confidence.
It was a well-struck effort and it must be remembered he won the spot kick with a well-timed run and some quick thinking to win a penalty for his side.
There were visible reminders of his growth in confidence after with a cute flick to Christian Eriksen which was lapped up by the Old Trafford crowd.
He remains at the start of a very long road back to being considered a valuable member of the team but games like tonight will steadily chip away at the narrative that he cannot contribute to a successful United team.
