Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag explained that Marcus Rashford opted to give Antony a penalty in the Red Devils’ 7-0 thrashing of Barnsley to help with the Brazilian’s “confidence” in the Carabao Cup.
Rashford had already given United the lead at Old Trafford, firing into the top corner of Chelsea loanee Gabriel Slonina’s net, but turned down the opportunity to continue his rich vein of form even further from 12 yards out.
Antony had been brought down by Slonina just inside the area, on a rare start for the former Ajax man, and with regular penalty taker Bruno Fernandes off the pitch there was an opportunity for another player to step up.
Many would have expected Rashford to take the spot-kick, but instead Antony grabbed the ball after a conversation with the international.
Slonina went the right way but he could not keep Antony’s effort out, as he wheeled away in celebration. Afterwards, Ten Hag said that Rashford gifted the penalty to his team-mate to help with his confidence on the pitch.
“Antony needed some confidence, and Rashford gave him the penalty,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports. “They are together. We won, into the next round, scored some great goals and entertained the fans. We are happy.”
The head coach refused to get carried away though, despite the largest win of his time at the club, adding: “I was not devastated after Liverpool. Now, I am not celebrating.”
Rashford echoed Ten Hag’s sentiments after the match, vowing not to get too excited despite bagging a brace, which could have been a hat-trick if the forward was more selfish.
“Football is football,” he explained. “Sometimes you have ups and sometimes downs, but we have to use these games to get momentum and consistency.
“We will move on to the next game now, rest, recover and focus on the next one. As a front unit and midfield I thought we did really well today.”
Antony’s goal and Rashford’s decision to give him the penalty came at a crucial time in the match, with Barnsley still very much in the game at 1-0.
However, the floodgates were opened soon after. Alejandro Garnacho scored two goals either side of half-time, before Rashford finished at the near post for United’s fifth of the evening.
Christian Eriksen then proceeded to put the icing on the cake with a finish from close range and another effort from just inside the box, as United coasted into the fourth round.
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