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

Rashford, who led United’s attack, ended a six-month goalless streak in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Southampton and Ten Hag’s decision to keep him in the team paid off as he scored the fifth goal with a confident direct finish.

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

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

Alejandro Garnacho, who was on the bench in Southampton, also scored twice, scoring from close range in first-half stoppage time and then making it 4-0 with a calm counter-attack finish after Christian Eriksen had broken open Barnsley’s weak defence.

Eriksen scored two more goals in the closing stages, just four minutes apart, converting a cross from substitute Bruno Fernandes and firing the ball into the bottom corner for the seventh time. He had not scored for his club in over a year.

United, who will find out their opponents for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup next Wednesday, will return to the Premier League on July 1, 2018 at Crystal Palace. Football on Saturday night – live on Sky Sports.

Watch Rashford’s goals against Barnsley

Joy is key for Rashford, says Ten Hag

Rashford’s future at United seemed hopeless at times last season and many felt that a move was the only way to revive his career.

But United manager Ten Hag has stuck with his striker and his faith has been rewarded. After five games of the season, Rashford is almost halfway to matching his eight goals from last season.

Those three goals came against weaker opponents like Southampton and Barnsley, but Rashford’s confidence has returned and is similar to that of his first season at Ten Hag, when he scored 30 times.

When asked about Rashford’s form, Ten Hag said: Sky Sports: “Even in my first season he had this charisma, this good mood.

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

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

Rashford: “I have to find consistency”

Rashford was reluctant to draw too much attention to himself after the game, but will hope that his double can catapult him back to the form that made him indispensable at the start of Ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford.

“Football is football and sometimes you have highs and sometimes lows, but you have to use these games to gain momentum, develop consistency and just do your best to bring your best level in every game,” he said Sky Sports.

“It’s too early to say if we’ll keep scoring goals, but I hope so. We’ll now move on to the next game, rest, recover and focus on the next one.”

“I think we put in a really good performance today as an attacking and midfield unit.”

Why the ‘big guy’ Rashford could be crucial for Garnacho

Rashford’s resurgence took some of the attention away from 19-year-old Garnacho, who scored two goals and provided two assists at Old Trafford.

Garnacho had something to prove after starting on the bench at Southampton and scoring the third goal as a substitute.

The striker started the season in good form, averaging a goal every 37 minutes after six games, including the Community Shield loss to Manchester City on penalties.

Garnacho was very productive in key moments last season, most notably his goal in the FA Cup final against City, but he has struggled to maintain consistency as his teammates have failed to take the burden of scoring goals off his shoulders.

Garnacho provided the assist for both of Rashford’s goals and Ten Hag is confident that the Manchester striker can regain his confidence and prevent his “high potentials” like the teenager from being asked to do too much.

“The goals don’t just have to come from Marcus Rashford,” said Ten Hag after the game. “We need more goalscorers, but I know from my first season here that it’s easier for the team when he scores when you have a player in the squad who is a guaranteed goal scorer.”

“Then it can make the difference. You can do a lot of things very well between the penalty areas, but football games are decided in the penalty area.”

“I expect the same from others who are at the peak of their careers, but we also have others who have great potential. They are very hungry to score goals. 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 as well, but confidence is a big part and I think Rashford is a big guy. He’s scored so many goals, he’s one of the (current) United scorers, he’s right up there, so he’s a big guy.”

In Rashford’s first season under Ten Hag, United’s biggest criticism was their lack of goals from outside the box. Now that Garnacho is two years older, the Dutchman’s attack has more firepower.

Barnsley boss Clarke annoyed with performance

As for Barnsley boss Darrell Clarke, the childhood United fan left a bitter taste in his mouth when he left Old Trafford.

“I attacked them. But I was not satisfied with their performance,” he said.

“I know we came to Man Utd who have world class players but I was not happy with our performance. Mael (de Gevigney) was the only player who deserved recognition.

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

“I don’t want to hear any of them talking about how bad some Premier League players are. They’re way 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 proud evening for me, but the performance ruined it.”

What’s next for United?

Saturday, 21 September, 5:00 p.m.

Start 5:30 p.m.

Ten Hag was able to bring some calm to the team with a win against Southampton on Saturday – and will now try to build on that in the Premier League.

United face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their next game and you can watch this game live on Sky Sports this Saturday.

Oliver Glasner’s team are still waiting for their first win in the top division this season after two draws against Chelsea and Leicester City.