I saw Ruud van Nistelrooy reaction to Marcus Rashford in Manchester United win - it spoke volumes

The jeers have turned to cheers for Marcus Rashford. Back at Old Trafford for the first time since his performance against Liverpool split opinion, he showcased the confidence that has been returning to his game.

This might have been League One opposition but you can imagine better defences than Barnsley's finding it difficult to stop this version of Rashford. This was more akin to the 2022/23 forward who scored 30 times than the player who became a shadow of that figure last term.

That season produced just eight goals and countless disappointing displays. His spark had gone and the off-field issues he got himself embroiled in hinted at a player losing sight of his priorities and struggling to locate the enjoyment in his game. Rashford's mindset can often be read through his body language. When he is struggling he can find it difficult to hide it and that has led to fans getting on his back. When he's on it, he can exude positivity and that was the case against Barnsley.

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Erik ten Hag had said at the weekend that there had been "too much negativity" around Rashford's performance against Liverpool. He did create the two best chances of the game for United and when he opened his account for the season on Saturday, Ten Hag suggested it could be the first of many.

It was an unusually effusive message from the Dutchman, who had demanded more from his attacker last season, and hinted at promising signs he had been seeing in training. When Rashford was withdrawn just after an hour into this Carabao Cup cruise having added two more to his tally there was a warm handshake between the pair.

Rashford had looked sharp in the opening 15