Manchester United effortlessly advanced to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup, overpowering League One team Barnsley in a striking 7-0 victory. This remarkable win marks the largest margin since Dutch manager Erik Ten Hag took charge.
The last time the Red Devils enjoyed such a decisive scoreline was in February 2021, when they defeated Southampton 9-0 under similar circumstances.
Marcus Rashford, who recently ended a six-month goal drought with a score against Southampton, led the attack impressively.
He celebrated his return to form by adding the fifth goal of the night with a sharp first-time finish. Alongside him, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen each netted twice, and Brazilian winger Antony made his mark with a penalty in the first half, turning the match into a comprehensive rout.
Erik Ten Hag expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance: “For the team, this is the perfect night. We executed our game plan flawlessly, advanced to the next round, scored some fantastic goals, entertained our fans, and refined our game model. We are delighted with the outcome.”
Despite the vocal support from the visiting Barnsley fans, Darrell Clarke’s team was markedly outclassed. A highlight for Barnsley was Clarke’s adept sideline ball control after play had stopped, earning applause even from the home supporters.
The match also saw Manuel Ugarte making his first start after his £50.5 million transfer. The Uruguayan midfielder sailed through the game, showing promising signs of settling into Ten Hag’s system.
Reflecting on the ups and downs of recent matches, Ten Hag remained measured in his reactions: “I was not devastated after the Liverpool loss, nor am I overly celebratory now. Our true test will be where we stand in May—when we need to be at our best.”
Looking ahead, Manchester United aims to maintain momentum as they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Oliver Glasner’s team is still vying for their first win of the season after drawing against Chelsea and Leicester City.
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