Rashford hails attacking unit

Rashford marked his 200th United appearance at Old Trafford by scoring twice in a 7-0 victory against the Tykes, ensuring our comfortable passage into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The forward was joined on the scoresheet on the night by Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen, both of whom also netted braces, as well as Antony, who successfully converted a first-half penalty kick.

Playing centrally in our three-man frontline, flanked by fellow goalscorers Antony and Garnacho, Rashford played a key role in his hour on the pitch – scoring the first and fifth goals of the rout, slotting home a pair of confident finishes with either foot.

Both of those efforts were assisted by Garnacho, the first opening the scoring on the night, after which Rashford felt our attacking play came to the fore even more.

“It’s important to have those relationships on the pitch but I think as a front unit, linking with the midfield, I felt we did very well today,” Rashford told Sky Sports, when asked about his understanding with Garnacho.

“Before the first goal, it was a little difficult but after the first one, we found better spaces and we probably made better decisions in order to score.”

With three goals now in his last two games, Rashford was also asked about improving confidence and whether he can maintain his goalscoring form – with the attacker remaining focused on our next test, when we travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

“It’s early to say but I hope so,” he added, speaking of Ten Hag’s assertion that goals will now begin to flow for Rashford. “We’ll move onto the next game now and just rest, recover and focus on the next one.

“Football is football - sometimes you have ups and, sometimes, you have downs. We have to use these games to find momentum, find consistency and try your best to bring your best level in each game.”

RASHFORD'S CARABAO CUP RECORD

In netting twice at Old Trafford, Rashford moved joint-second in the club’s all-time rankings for goals scored in the League Cup.

His figure of 16 goals in 24 games in this competition is now equal to Mark Hughes’ tally with United - who reached the same number while playing 14 more matches - and is bettered only by Brian McClair, whose impressive record reads 19 goals in 45 appearances.

Rashy's first goal in the competition came at the same stage of the 2016/17 campaign, away to Northampton Town, with our run in that season’s competition culminating in success in the final at Wembley, against Southampton.

Of course, Rashford was also instrumental in helping the Reds to repeat that feat in Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge – scoring in every round of the competition in the 2022/23 campaign, including in the 2-0 win in the final over Newcastle United.

We’ll learn our opponents for the fourth round of this season’s Carabao Cup next Wednesday – with more details here.