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 over League One minnows

It was only Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, but this was more like it from Manchester United. Erik ten Hag’s side played with a swagger and confidence that deserted them for so much of last season, even in games like these.

So they should. Even allowing for two free transfers and three homegrown players, United’s line-up against a team lying seventh in League One who hadn’t won at Old Trafford for more than a century was worth over £300million – and that was before Ten Hag threw on a wealth of talent from the bench.

It was one of those nights that have been all too rare for the Dutchman; nights when he could rotate his squad, throw in a couple debutants, and sit back and enjoy watching his team play to the sum of its parts.

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

Christian Eriksen weighed in with two of his own late on to hand Ten Hag the biggest win of his time as United manager by some distance. More importantly, it feels as though he has steadied the ship after a choppy start to the season with back-to-back wins, 10 goals scored and none conceded.

Rashford was a constant threat all game and capitalised on Barnsley mistakes in the win

Rashford (left) celebrates with Garnacho after the two combined to score the first goal

Rashford showed some neat footwork to work himself some space before shooting to score

The United striker thumped the ball high into the side netting to give his side the lead

‘For the team, this is the perfect night,’ said Ten Hag, who understandably wasn’t getting carried away ahead of a trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday where United were spanked 4-0 by Crystal Palace in May. ‘I wasn’t devastated after Liverpool and I’m not celebrating now.’

Ten Hag did as he promised and rotated his squad which meant full debuts for £50.5million signing Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer who played at left-back and left his mark on Barry Cotter.

The combative Ugarte flexed his muscles as well, although there was a scare towards the end of the first half when a mistimed challenge from Luca Connell left the Uruguayan needing treatment on a bruised right foot and bloodied knee.

United were well in control by then. Rashford opened the floodgates in the 16th minute when he showed brilliant control to take down Garnacho’s 40-yard pass, dummy his way past Marc Roberts and finish emphatically.

‘It was a brilliant goal,’ said Ten Hag. ‘In my first season he had his fight, his good mood. When I see the teeth from Marcus Rashford I am confident that he will score.’

United were then awarded a penalty after Antony was brought down inside the Barnsley box

The Brazilian stepped up to take the penalty himself, dispatching it into the goal’s right side

Antony smashes the ball past Barnsley keeper Slonina to make it 2-0 to United

Garnacho made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time as he prodded the ball into the net

The Argentine winger soaks in the adulation from the United fans after getting his first goal

It only took four minutes into the second half for Garnacho to get his second of the game

The 20-year-old calmly slots the ball past the on-rushing Barnsley goalkeeper after the break

Barnsley’s players cut dejected figures after conceding their fourth goal of the game

Antony marked his first start of the season with a performance brimming with energy that brought the second goal when he beat Barnsley goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina to Rashford’s pass. Down went the Brazilian and up he got to score from the spot.

‘They are very hungry but they give each other the ball,’ added the United manager. ‘They give assists and when Antony needs some confidence then Rashy gives him the penalty which is good in a team.’

Garnacho reacted quicker than Roberts and Joshua Earl to poke home in added time at the end of the first half, and raced onto Eriksen’s throughball to strike again within three minutes of the restart.

The Argentina winger created another for Rashford, sliding the ball through for his teammate to claim his second, and that was the cue for Ten Hag to summon four more internationals off the bench.

Garnacho was denied the hat-trick his performance when he fired inches over, but Bruno Fernandes squared for Eriksen to score inside the near post and then set up the Dane for the seventh as well.

Rashford got his second of the night after United won the ball back high up the pitch

Rashford coolly passes the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to make it 5-0

Christian Eriksen then got in on the act, scoring United’s sixth at Old Trafford

Eriksen wheels away in celebration after side-footing his shot into the Barnsley goal

Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes combined again with the Dane getting his brace

It capped a painful night for Barnsley boss and lifelong United fan Darrell Clarke. 

‘To come here was a proud night for myself but it was ruined by the lack of performance we put in,’ said Clarke. ‘The goals were absolutely shocking with the decision-making at times.’