Erik ten Hag reacts to Marcus Rashford decision to hand penalty over to Antony

Erik ten Hag singled Marcus Rashford out for special praise for handing over a penalty to out-of-form Antony in Manchester United’s 7-0 thrashing of Barnsley.

Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen bagged braces with Antony on target from 12 yards as United cruised to a thumping victory in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

The England international opened the scoring with a superb solo effort after 16 minutes and was heavily involved in United’s second, freeing Antony with a threaded through down the inside right flank.

The Brazil international was brought down by goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina with referee Gavin Ward pointing to the spot. While Rashford initially took the ball to take the penalty, it ended up with Antony who drilled home.

The former Ajax star was starting his first game of the season having only managed a minute of first-team football this season before tonight.

Ten Hag this week warned the Brazilian must ‘earn the right to play’ with Amad Diallo the manager’s preferred option on the right this season.

Rashford turned in a superb performance, doubling his tally with another well-taken finish to make it three goals in two matches before being replaced on the hour.

While delighted to see his no10 back on the score sheet, ten Hag was pleased to see all his attacking players combining well, impressed with Rashford’s decision to pass along a penalty to a teammate in desperate need of goal of his own.

‘They are very ambitious, very hungry,’ ten Hag told a post-match press conference. ‘But they also give each other the ball, they want to give assists and give each other the opportunity to score a goal like with the penalty.

‘Antony needs some confidence then Rashy gives the pen to Antony which is good for the team when they are together.’

Ten Hag continued: The goals do not only have to come from Rashford. But I know from my first season, when he scores it is always more easy.

‘When you have a player in your squad who is a guarantee for goals, goals make the difference in football, we all know that. We can do a lot of good things between the boxes but football matches are decided in the box.’