MANCHESTER UNITED ran rampant against League One side Barnsley to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round – 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.
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 Barnsley – no 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.
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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. Good forward to good effect and linked up well with Eriksen.
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.
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Jonny Evans – 6
He was not much better than his centre-back partner but has spent a lot of time out injured recently.
Flew into a few more challenges than Maguire.
Toby Collyer – 5
Seemed uncomfortable at left-back at times.
The 20-year-old looked raw at times after gifting the visitors with plenty of free-kicks in promising positions again in the second half.
Not sure he’s ready to start in the Prem yet. Good for him to get minutes nonetheless.
Casemiro – 6
Surprise captain after a difficult start to the Premier League season, but was solid throughout.
Tried to win a cheeky penalty in the second half but it was waved away by ref Gavin Ward.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Committed four fouls in the opening 30 minutes. Must’ve been his nerves on his first United start.
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. And fans were happy with his passionate display.
Yet if carries on like this, you can bet on him being sent-off at some point this season.
Antony – 7
Couldn’t get past Barnsley full-back Corey O’Keeffe before scoring the penalty he won for United’s second in the 35th minute.
But worked hard for the full 90 minutes.
Christian Eriksen – 7
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 slick 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.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Rashford rejuvenated?
Opened the scoring inside 16 minutes from the No9 position after cutting inside two players and keeping his composure to smash past Chelsea loanee Gabriel Slonina’s top corner.
Notched his second of the game after a horror mistake from the Barnsley centre-back.
Worked hard to keep the ball alive for Garnacho’s goal too and consistently looked full of energy.
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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
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
