Erik ten Hag has revealed that Antony took Manchester United’s penalty against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup because Marcus Rashford gave him the ball as a gesture of team unity.
With Bruno Fernandes starting on the bench during the eventual 7-0 win, Rashford would have been expected to step up from 12 yards when Antony himself was brought down by Barnsley goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina just over half an hour into the ‘tie of the third round.
But it was the Brazilian winger, who was starting his first game of the season, who got the ball to the spot and smashed it into the net after a stuttering attempt to make a mistake with Slonina’s foot. Rashford had already scored at that stage of the match, while united as a team he went on to score five more – including another for Rashford and two each for Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen.
Antony’s off the mark for the season, having scored just three times in all competitions in 2023/24, now means all four United wingers have found the net in the first month of 2024/25.
But while there is individual ambition, Ten Hag praised the group’s collective attitude and willingness to help each other, as with the penalty.
“I think they are very ambitious, they are very hungry, but what you also see is that they give each other the ball,” the United manager told reporters after the final whistle.
“They also give assists and give themselves the opportunity to score a goal like the pen when Anthony it takes a little trust. Then Rashy gives the pen to Antony, who is good in a team, that they are, they are together.”
Joshua Zirkzee is still working his way into this United team, while the forward dynamic will change again in the coming weeks when Rasmus Hojlund makes his long-awaited return from injury.
