This morning, Manchester United kicked off their Carabao Cup campaign with a match against Barnsley in the third round.
Following a convincing 3-0 victory over Southampton in the Premier League, Erik ten Hag’s side entered the match full of confidence against the League One opponents. Last season, United lifted the Carabao Cup trophy, and they aimed to make a strong start this time.
Against a significantly weaker team, the Dutch coach opted to field several substitutes. Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir started in place of Andre Onana, while Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans also began the match. The midfield featured Casemiro and new signing Manuel Ugarte, with Antony, Christian Eriksen, Alejandro Garnacho, and Marcus Rashford leading the attack. This match presented a rare opportunity for Antony to regain his form, while for Ugarte, it was a warm-up for the Premier League.
With superior personnel and home advantage, it was no surprise that United dominated the match from the opening whistle. They relentlessly pressured Barnsley and created numerous scoring opportunities.
Statistics from the match showed that the Red Devils controlled 66% of possession and launched a total of 26 shots, 13 of which were on target. Thus, scoring just 7 goals felt somewhat modest given the chances they created. The 7-0 victory against Barnsley propelled Manchester United confidently into the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
Here are three standout players from the home side this morning:
Alejandro Garnacho
The Argentine rising star was chosen to play as a left winger against Barnsley, a decision that proved spot on by Erik ten Hag. Garnacho’s speed and dribbling ability constantly troubled the League One defense. His two goals in the 45+2 and 49 minutes were well-deserved rewards for his efforts.
Christian Eriksen
At 32, the Danish midfielder may struggle in the physical battles of the Premier League, but against lower-tier opponents like Barnsley, he was exceptional. Playing as a “number 10,” Eriksen showcased his remarkable passing skills. He scored two goals in the 81st and 85th minutes, contributing significantly to Manchester United’s demolition.
Marcus Rashford
In this match, Ten Hag opted to deploy his favorite student, Rashford, as a “number 9,” and he was richly rewarded. The English striker played fluidly and energetically against a lower-level defense. Rashford opened the scoring in the 16th minute and added another goal in the 58th minute, bringing the score to 3-0.