United Beyond Manchester

Erik Ten Hag could not have asked for more from a home match against Barnsley, as the Reds dismantled the League One side 7-0. The win was the largest in the League Cup in club history and the first time the side has scored at least seven since 2021.

The Match

A somewhat slow start was halted in the 17th minute as Marcus Rashford continued his resurgence that began over the weekend. Alejandro Garnacho played a cross-field ball to Rashford, who beat his defender easily and smashed the ball past Barnsley’s goalkeeper.

Rashford’s goal propelled Erik Ten Hag’s side forward, and after a few well-worked chances, Antony was brought down in the box by young goalkeeper Gaga Slonina. The Brazilian scored the penalty himself to give the Reds a 2-0 advantage.

It was three before the half, as Garnacho, who assisted the first goal, finished one of his own. The Argentine poked home for United after a deflection put the ball in his path.

Within minutes of the start of the second half, United added another. The Reds won the ball back in the midfield, and Christian Eriksen played a beautiful through ball to Alejandro Garnacho, who made no mistake with his finish. When allowed space, Eriksen can pick any team apart, and Barnsley gave the Dane all the time and space in the world to pick his pass.

It got even worse for the away side when a poor pass in the back turned into Marcus Rashford’s second goal. His left-footed strike into the bottom corner made it three goals in three days for the Englishman, who departed the match shortly after.

Christian Eriksen flicked in a sixth off of a Bruno Fernandes assist. The 80th-minute goal was the 32-year-old’s first in over a year for the club. Four minutes later, he had another, again provided by his captain Fernandes.

The seven-goal win is a perfect way to start a competition that United won two seasons ago. The draw for the Fourth Round will come on September 25th, after Liverpool and West Ham face off to end the Third Round.

Looking Ahead

The Reds built off the 3-0 win at Southampton and were incredibly clinical against lesser competition. After a slow start to the league season, Ten Hag will hope that this performance can help his team put together a string of good results.

Manchester United travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday to face Crystal Palace. After two dominant wins over Southampton and Barnsley, United will be confident of bringing three points back to Old Trafford.