Manchester United: Erik ten Hag highlights Marcus Rashford act which helped Antony

Erik ten Hag says Marcus Rashford unselfishly letting Antony take a penalty against Barnsley underlines the spirit in the squad.

Antony scored from the spot in a rare start, with Rashford passing up the responsibility in favour of giving his team-mate a confidence boost after two miserable seasons in front of goal at the club. The Brazilian duly dispatched the penalty in a 7-0 drubbing in the Carabao Cup .

Rashford added two goals as Alejandro Garnacho also hit a brace before Christian Eriken completed the rout with a double of his own late on, and Ten Hag believes his attackers are thriving alongside each other after beating the League One side at home.

"I think they are very ambitious," Ten Hag said of his forwards. "Very hungry, but you can see they give each other the ball. They want to also give assists and also 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 that they are with each other, they are together.

"It seems how this team is together. Antony has some difficulties because he has to fight for his place and then the players decided themselves they want to encourage him and give him some confidence. They want to show you are also part of this. We are together. It's a long season and we need everyone."

Antony has fallen down the pecking order at United despite his eye-watering £87million price tag, but Ten Hag says the Brazilian deserved to start and deliver on the pitch.

"He fought for his place," Ten Hag added. "First of all, he earned it [in] training and, today, on the pitch, he showed he is with us and he wants to fight for his place. He had some good actions. He showed he can deal with this, with the pressure, and I think that's a good sign."