Three players struck a brace each as Manchester United hit Barnsley for seven at Old Trafford on Tuesday to seal their spot in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen scored two apiece while Antony, who got a rare start, scored from the penalty spot in the first half.
It was a case of deja vu for away fans with the Old Trafford side winning by the same scoreline back in 1997 in the league with Andy Cole netting a hat-trick back then.
The League One side would have fancied causing an upset considering United’s form heading into the international break. But the hosts carried on their form from the weekend win over Southampton and dismantled their lower league opponents.
Clinical display from the Reds
Manager Erik ten Hag was under immense pressure but two back-to-back wins with 10 goals scored and none conceded will do him and his players a world of good.
Rivals will point to the fact that it was only Barnsley but you can only beat what is in front of you and the Red Devils did that in some style.
The Dutch boss will be most pleased by the fact that players who were under the scanner got on the scoresheet which will certainly act as a confidence booster.
Rashford carried on from where he left off against the Saints and looked a totally different player from the one who started the campaign and he even did his trademark celebration, which the Old Trafford faithful loved.
Wingers in red-hot form
He had a smile on his face which always bodes well for the rest of the campaign. Ten Hag will also love the fact that Antony, who was heavily linked with an exit, notched a strike on his first start of the campaign.
Garnacho now has four goals from two starts and he is certainly pushing to start more. With Amad going great in the league, all wingers seem to be in red-hot form, a great problem to have for any manager.
Ten Hag will have a problem of plenty when trying to name his preferred winger duo for United’s next game against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
With all wide men scoring and fighting for a starting berth, it will reduce the pressure on Joshua Zirkzee and help him to settle more easily.
Manuel Ugarte got minutes under his belt, which will be another positive and no injuries were recorded as the 20-time English league champions wait for the draw to find out who they will face in Round Four.
Feature image Stu Forster via Getty Images
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