Marcus Rashford looked revitalized as he scored twice in Manchester United‘s 7-0 demolition of League One side Barnsley at Old Trafford, propelling the Red Devils into the Carabao Cup fourth round and handing Erik ten Hag his most significant win as manager.
Rashford, leading the attack for United, had ended his six-month goal drought with a strike in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton.
Ten Hag’s decision to keep faith in him paid off, as the 26-year-old confidently added United’s fifth goal with a first-time finish.
“When I see the teeth [smiling] from Marcus Rashford, I’m calm, I’m composed, and I’m confident that he will score,” Ten Hag shared with Sky Sports after the match.
Rashford nearly secured a hat-trick but unselfishly allowed teammate Antony to take a penalty. Antony, who hadn’t scored since April, converted the spot-kick past Chelsea loanee Gabriel Slonina, further boosting United’s lead.
Alejandro Garnacho, who had been left on the bench during the Southampton match, also netted twice. He first scored from close range in first-half stoppage time and then made it 4-0 on the break with a composed finish after Christian Eriksen sliced through Barnsley’s fragile defense.
Eriksen himself joined the scoresheet with two late goals, just four minutes apart. He turned in a cross from substitute Bruno Fernandes before curling a shot into the bottom corner for the seventh. Notably, it was his first club goal in over a year.
With this commanding victory, United now await their next Carabao Cup opponents in Wednesday’s fourth-round draw. The team will return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Rashford’s future at United appeared bleak last season, with many suggesting a move away might be his only option for reviving his career.
However, Ten Hag’s persistence in backing his forward has started to pay off. Just five games into the new season, Rashford is already close to halfway to his total tally of eight goals from the previous campaign.
While these three goals have come against lesser opponents like Southampton and Barnsley, Rashford’s renewed confidence is reminiscent of his first season under Ten Hag, where he scored 30 goals.
Commenting on Rashford’s resurgence, Ten Hag said, “In my first season also, he had this vibe, this good mood. When I see the teeth [smiling] from Marcus Rashford, I’m calm, I’m composed, and I’m confident that he will score.”
Although tougher challenges lie ahead, starting with Saturday’s visit to Selhurst Park, the early signs are promising for Rashford as he works to return to his best form.
After the game, Rashford remained grounded but expressed hope that his performance could help reignite the form that made him crucial for Ten Hag early in his United tenure.
“Football is football; sometimes you have ups and sometimes downs,” he told Sky Sports. “You have to use these games to build momentum, find consistency, and try your best to bring your top level in every match.”
He continued, “It’s early to say [if the goals will continue], but I hope so. We’ll focus on the next match, rest, recover, and keep pushing forward. As a front unit and midfield, I thought we did really well today.”
Rashford’s resurgence has given United a much-needed boost, with the upcoming fixtures set to test if he is truly back to his best.
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