“I saw a very different version of him against Barnsley today, he’s a very incredible player despite the fact that his market value is just £23M”- Man United star Fernandez revealed he was super delighted to see incredible £23M teammate delivering his best performance against Barnsley today Not Garnacho and Not Rashford

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes expressed his excitement over his £23M teammate’s outstanding performance in the Carabao Cup against Barnsley, saying he witnessed a completely different side of the player. Despite his relatively modest market value, Fernandes emphasized the player’s incredible talent.

In this third-round clash, Manchester United fielded a significantly altered lineup compared to their previous match against Southampton. Altay Bayindir made only his second appearance for the club, replacing regular goalkeeper Andre Onana. The young Toby Collyer was tested in a new role at left-back, while the experienced duo of Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire formed the center-back pairing. Diogo Dalot retained his position on the right side of the defense.

In midfield, Christian Eriksen once again took charge, flanked by Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, with the latter making his full debut and first appearance at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford led the attack, supported by wingers Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.

Here are four key takeaways from the match:

### Marcus Rashford’s Continued Scoring Streak
After a slow start to the season, Rashford found his scoring touch with a beautiful goal against Southampton the previous weekend. Building on that momentum, he added another goal just 16 minutes into the game against Barnsley, bringing his tally to seven goals in eight League Cup appearances. Rashford’s goal came after he controlled a long pass, skillfully dribbled past several defenders, and fired the ball into the top corner.

Rashford wasn’t just a scorer but also a playmaker. He provided a brilliant through ball to Antony, who earned a penalty after being brought down by the Barnsley goalkeeper. Rather than taking the penalty himself, Rashford displayed his unselfishness, allowing Antony to step up and score. He continued his dominance in the first half, with another assist leading to Garnacho’s goal after a deflected ball found the Argentine forward. Rashford added a second goal to his name with a left-footed strike, marking United’s fifth goal of the night.

After 62 minutes, Rashford was substituted and received a standing ovation from the crowd. His performance showed that he is rediscovering his form and remains one of the world’s most lethal attackers on his best days.

### Alejandro Garnacho Emerging as United’s Key Attacking Threat
Alejandro Garnacho’s rise from a promising substitute to a regular starter has been nothing short of remarkable. The young Argentine made his mark last season with ten goals, including a spectacular overhead kick against Everton and the first goal in the FA Cup final. Despite starting just two of United’s six opening matches this season, he remains the club’s top scorer across all competitions.

Against Barnsley, Garnacho was electric, contributing two goals and two assists. His first goal came from quick reactions in the box, while his second showcased his blistering pace as he latched onto a pass from Eriksen and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. Garnacho was more than just a scorer—his vision and passing set up Rashford’s second goal and United’s opener.

Manager Erik ten Hag will be pleased with the increased goal output from his forwards this season. However, it’s clear that Garnacho is currently the team’s most dangerous offensive weapon, capable of creating and converting chances with ease.

### Christian Eriksen Proving His Worth
After being linked with a possible departure from Manchester United over the summer, Christian Eriksen has shown he still has plenty to offer. His impressive performance over the weekend earned him another start, and he didn’t disappoint.

Eriksen played a crucial role in United’s midfield, dictating play from deep. His superb pass set up Garnacho’s second goal, and he capped off his performance with two late goals of his own, showcasing his ability to finish with precision. These performances suggest that Eriksen still has a significant part to play in United’s future plans.

### Antony Finds a Confidence Boost
Antony has been under scrutiny since his big-money move to Manchester United, with fans and pundits questioning his impact given his hefty transfer fee and underwhelming statistics. Before the game, ten Hag admitted that Antony had to fight for his place in the starting lineup, competing with the in-form Amad Diallo.

While Antony’s overall performance against Barnsley may not have been his finest, his penalty goal will surely provide a much-needed confidence boost. The Brazilian won the penalty with a clever run and converted it confidently, giving him a moment to build on. His newfound confidence was evident when he later produced a flashy flick to Eriksen, delighting the Old Trafford crowd.

Although Antony still has a long way to go to prove himself as a key player for Manchester United, performances like this will help rebuild his confidence and chip away at the narrative that he cannot contribute meaningfully to the team’s success.

In summary, Manchester United’s victory over Barnsley highlighted the resurgence of several key players, including Rashford and Eriksen, while also showcasing the undeniable talent of young stars like Garnacho. Despite challenges, Antony’s penalty may be the start of a turnaround in form for the Brazilian winger.