A reborn Marcus Rashford scored twice as Manchester United beat League One side Barnsley 7-0 at Old Trafford to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and hand Erik ten Hag his biggest win as a manager.

United manager Rashford opened the scoring after breaking a six-month goalless streak in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton, with Ten Hag’s decision to keep him in the team paying off as he scored the fifth goal with a confident first.

“When I see Marcus Rashford’s teeth (smiling) I become calm, I am composed and I am confident that he will score,” Ten Hag said Sky Sport after the match.

The 26-year-old could have completed a hat-trick but gave away a penalty to Antony, who had not scored since April, before firing his spot-kick past Chelsea loanee Gabriel Slonina in the Barnsley goal.

Alejandro Garnacho, who was on the bench for Southampton, also scored twice. He fired in from close range in first-half injury time and then finished with a controlled strike to make it 4-0 at half-time after Christian Eriksen had broken through Barnsley’s weak defence.

Eriksen added two more own goals in the closing stages, just four minutes apart, turning in a cross from substitute Bruno Fernandes before curling the ball into the bottom corner for the seventh. He had not scored a club goal for over a year.

United, who will find out their opponents for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup in next Wednesday’s draw, return to Premier League action at Crystal Palace on Saturday night football – live on Sky Sport.

Watch Rashford’s goals against Barnsley

Luck is key for Rashford, says Ten Hag

Last season, Rashford’s future at United seemed to go beyond a chance, with many suggesting that a move away was the only option to revive his career.

But United boss Ten Hag has stuck with his striker and has been rewarded for his faith. Five games into the season and Rashford is almost halfway to equalling his total of eight from last campaign.

Those three goals came against weaker opponents, namely Southampton and Barnsley, but Rashford has regained the confidence he had in his first season at Ten Hag, in which he scored 30 times.

Asked about Rashford’s form, Ten Hag said Sky Sport: “He also had that vibe, that good mood, in my first season.

“When I see Marcus Rashford’s teeth (smiling) I become calm, I am composed and I am confident that he will score.”

There are tougher tests to come that will ultimately determine whether Rashford is truly back to his best form. The first is the trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday, but the signs are positive after a whole year in the wilderness.

Rashford: I need to find consistency

Rashford did not want to get ahead of himself after the game, but hopes his double will return him to the form that made him indispensable at the start of Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford.

“Football is football and sometimes you have ups and sometimes you have downs, but you have to use these games to find momentum, find consistency and just do your best to be at your best level in every game,” he said Sky Sport.

“It’s too early to say (if the goals will keep coming), but I hope so. Now we move on to the next game, rest, recover and focus on the next one.

“I thought we did really well today as an attacking line and midfielder.”

Why ‘big boy’ Rashford could be crucial for Garnacho

Rashford’s resurgence has seen the 19-year-old Garnacho take a back seat as he scores and provides two assists at Old Trafford.

Garnacho had something to prove after being left on the bench at Southampton, where he came on as a substitute to score the third goal.

The striker has made an excellent start to the season, averaging a goal every 37 minutes in six games, including the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City on penalties.

Garnacho was strong in key moments last season, such as the goal in the FA Cup final against City, but he found it difficult to play consistently as his team-mates could not give him enough to score.

Both of Rashford’s goals were assisted by Garnacho and Ten Hag is optimistic that the Manchester forward can regain his confidence and avoid being relied on too much, as was his ‘high potential’ as a teenager.

“The goals shouldn’t just come from Marcus Rashford,” Ten Hag said after the game. “We need more goalscorers, but I know from my first season here that if he scores, it’s (easier) for the team if you have a player in your squad who is a guarantee for goals.

“Then it can make the difference. You can do a lot of things very well between the subjects, but football matches are decided in the subject.

“I expect it from others (also) who are in the prime of their career, but we also have others who have a lot of potential, they are very hungry to score. But more importantly, they want to win, win games and win trophies.

“Confidence is a big part of it, it’s not everything, there are other parts, but confidence is a big part and I think Rashford is a big boy. He’s scored so many goals, he’s on the list of (current) United goalscorers, he’s at the top, so he’s a big boy.”

In Rashford’s first season under Ten Hag, the main criticism of United was the lack of goals from elsewhere. With Garnacho now two years older, there is more firepower in the Dutchman’s attack.

Barnsley boss Clarke furious over performance

As for Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke, the boyhood United fan left Old Trafford with a bitter taste in his mouth.

“I tried them. I wasn’t happy with the performance,” he said.

“I know we came to Man Utd, who have world class players, but I wasn’t happy with how we played. Mael (de Gevigney) was the only player who went home with credit.

“Has the opportunity affected some of them? Yes, probably. We have to understand what it takes to be a top player.

“Don’t ever let me hear any of them talk about how bad some Premier League players are. They’re miles off the mark.

“The players tonight were miles away from the level of a top Barnsley player, let alone a top Premier League player.

“It was a night I was proud of, but the performance ruined it.”

What’s next for United?

Saturday September 21st 5:00 PM

Starts at 5:30 PM

Ten Hag managed to calm the commotion with a win over Southampton on Saturday and he now wants to build on this in the Premier League.

United face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their next match and you can watch this match live on Sky Sport this saturday.

Oliver Glasner’s side are still looking for their first top division win of the season after two draws against Chelsea and Leicester City.