Erik ten Hag responds after Antony given Man Utd penalty duties by team-mates (original) (raw)

Erik ten Hag makes feelings clear on Antony being given penalty by Man Utd team-mates

Manchester United prevailed 7-0 against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup Third Round with goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen at Old Trafford

Antony scored his first goals of the season against Barnsley

Erik ten Hag was full of praise for the decision to give Antony a penalty during the demolition of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

United came away as 7-0 victors against the League One side to progress in the competition as Antony, in addition to Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen who all scored twice, netted. But it was the manner in which Antony got off the mark which really pleased Ten Hag.

The £86million signing hadn't scored a goal since April, but after winning a first-half penalty, a combination of Rashford and Casemiro ensured Antony would take it. Coolly despatching from 12 yards to put United two up.

Casemiro, captain on the night, played a part in ensuring the ball ended up in his countryman's hands. Marcus Rashford initially prepared to take the spotkick after Barnsley goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, on loan from Chelsea, committed a foul in his area.

Casemiro could be seen pointing towards ex-Ajax winger Antony however, who was ultimately given the responsibility. And Ten Hag was happy to see his charges working for one another on what was a hugely positive night.

Speaking about the form of some of his forwards, Ten Hag said: "They also give assists and they give each other the opportunity to score a goal. Like the penalty when Antony needs some confidence, then Rashy gives the pen to Antony, which is good in a team. Which they are, they are together."

It was a confidence boosting night for United, who followed up Saturday's win at Southampton, with the biggest victory of Ten Hag's reign. And the Dutchman will feel vindicated after making eight changes to his team for the game.

Ten Hag plans to manage his side's minutes for a hectic period of fixtures until the October international break. "We have to rotate because we have loads of games and we have to manage the squad," Ten Hag told Sky Sports.

"You need everyone; you can't talk about a starting 11 players. You have to give all the players in the squad game time if they are available.

Antony of Manchester United celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match (

Image:

Ash Donelon/Manchester United)

"We need all the players in the squad, we are in five leagues [competitions]. We want to win but there is internal competition. We have to find out what is the best team, what is the best chemistry and this is a moment for some players to prove a point."

Rashford's brace saw him add to his goal tally after opening his account for 2024/25 against Southampton at the weekend. The forward won man of the match honours against Barnsley but is not getting carried away with his form just yet.

"Sometimes you have ups, sometimes you have downs," he said. "We have to use these games to find momentum and consistency."

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