Marcus Rashford harrumphed at Christian Eriksen’s failure to pass to him one minute. When Alejandro Garnacho did minutes later, Rashford demonstrated why he merited the service.
Rashford’s first Old Trafford goal in six months was reminiscent of the purposeful and direct talisman of two years ago. Manchester United had started sloppily yet Rashford was sharp before he weaved through two Barnsley defenders and threatened to break the net.
Those in the Stretford End who vented at Rashford at the start of the month against Liverpool serenaded him. Just as the away following had at Southampton.
As troublesome as Rashford’s early performances this season were, he has been in the thick of it: clear-cut chances against Manchester City, a one-on-one against Fulham, a disallowed goal at Brighton and two presentable openings created for Joshua Zirkzee against Liverpool. Now he is on three goals in six starts.
This was an obvious opportunity to capitalise on Rashford’s breakthrough strike at Southampton and it would be churlish to belittle his sudden scoring streak against the fodder. Rashford is more than a quarter of the way to his meagre haul of eight goals last season and United have three wingers in fine fettle.
Antony would argue four. Rashford was preparing to step up to take the penalty Antony had earned before Casemiro approached his compatriot, who soon received the match ball. Antony calmly placed it out of goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina’s reach.
He had dropped to his knees and raised his hands towards the heavens seconds before kick-off. The Almighty had answered Antony’s prayer.
Erik ten Hag admitted on the eve of this match Antony is becoming “impatient” over his lack of playing time. He could have claimed a hat-trick against Barnsley, never mind converted a spotkick, and would still be at the back of the four-man queue for the flanks.
Garnacho was Rashford’s provider for both of his strikes. The first allowed Rashford to tie with Garnacho on two goals for the campaign but the Argentine edged ahead again with a third in added time of the first half.
Ten Hag eschewed any half-time changes and Garnacho struck again within five minutes. He was once prone to squandering one-on-ones but not any more. He ought to have left the stadium with the match ball but sliced over.
Garnacho and Rashford also have to compete with growing fan favourite Amad, sensibly rested ahead of an expectant start at Crystal Palace on Saturday. Confidence is starting to flow throughout the squad.
Casemiro, captaining United on his return to the starting XI, may yet provide a solution in midfield of the attacking variety. He unlocked another defence with a piercing pass for Diogo Dalot, erroneously flagged offside.
Amad, Joshua Zirkzee and Bruno Fernandes were told to warm up in the 14th minute, far earlier than usual for United substitutes to head out for a jog and limber up. Two minutes later, Rashford ensured they would not be called upon at the interval.
Toby Collyer, played into trouble by his manager before he had played a pass, suffered early bouts of stage fright. He was at least allowed to wander into midfield when United were in possession.
United have a specialist left back in Harry Amass yet Ten Hag has gone on record as saying that the 17-year-old will not be considered for selection until early November. Luke Shaw and even Tyrell Malacia may be back by then.
The absence of a prospective debutant on the bench was a particular pity with the contest over by half-time. Ten Hag was so merciless he sent on Fernandes, Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui with United 5-0 up. Barnsley were battered 7-0 when they were at Old Trafford in their only Premier League campaign back in 1997.
Andre Onana, missing only his second United match, still participated in the warm-up as the designated third-choice goalkeeper for the evening. Ethan Wheatley, the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year, was an unused substitute.
This was the joint-most number of changes Ten Hag has made to a United side and it resulted in their heaviest win in a first seven-goal victory under the incumbent manager. United had not previously managed five goals in a Ten Hag match before.
The most frantic Ten Hag became all evening was when he and set-piece coach Andreas Georgson alerted the United players as they prepared for a corner, flagging a potential two-on-one in Barnsley’s favour should they counter. Collyer and Dalot retreated towards their own half.
That was about as defensive as United got. Eriksen, seemingly certain not to start at Palace by virtue of a second successive start, made his point with two classy late goals.