Barnsley manager threatens to 'give my players a SLAP' if they ever question Premier League stars after 7-0 hammering at Man United, as he tells them they are 'miles off' and were 'absolutely destroyed'

Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke threatened to ‘slap’ his players on Tuesday night after witnessing them get crushed 7-0 by Manchester United in the Carabao Cup. 

United annihilated the League One outfit at Old Trafford thanks to doubles from Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Christian Eriksen and a penalty from Antony. 

It was a bruising night for Barnsley, who had admirably beaten Wigan and Sheffield United to reach the third round, against an inconsistent United side worth around £500million on the night. 

‘If I ever hear of my players telling me Premier League players are poor I’ll be giving them a slap because we were miles off against a team that can absolutely destroy you when you’re not at it,’ Clarke revealed to Sky Sports after the drubbing.

‘They’re a quality team but we’re very disappointed in our performance. We haven’t done ourselves justice. That was my fear tonight coming here. 

Barnsley boss Darrell Clarke threatened to ‘slap’ his players after they lost 7-0 to Man United

He does not want to hear his players criticised a Premier League team again after the defeat

Erik ten Hag’s side sealed back-to-back wins after a turbulent start to the 2024-25 campaign 

‘A lot of our players had an off-day. Maybe one player, Mael (de Gevigney), probably comes out of the game with credit, but not for us. 

‘I know it’s a big occasion against a very, very good team, I get that, and they turn it on against Premier League teams, but it’s a huge wake-up call for me, to the players, to understand what it takes to be a player. 

Erik ten Hag’s side peppered the Tykes’ goal with 26 shots and suffocated them so much that their opposition did not manage a single attempt on target. 

The night represented another step in the right direction for Rashford who opened his account for the season with a goal – his first in six months – in the 3-0 win at Southampton on Saturday.

For Ten Hag, the obliteration calms some of the noise after a turbulent start to the season and he has the brief satisfaction of back-to-back wins.  

Barnsley boss Clarke added: ‘I have had a go at them. I wasn’t happy with the performance.

‘I know we have come to Man Utd, who have world-class players, but I wasn’t happy with how we played. Did the occasion get to some of them? Yes, probably. 

‘The players were miles off the standards of a top Barnsley player tonight never mind a top Premier League player. 

Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho both scored twice as they served fans a feast 

Christian Eriksen also bagged a double while Antony got off the mark for the season 

Barnsley had done well to reach the third round but were off the pace at Old Trafford 

Manager Ten Hag refused to get ahead of himself with a trip to Crystal Palace coming up next 

Rashford was a constant threat all game and capitalised on Barnsley mistakes in the win

He showed some neat footwork to work himself some space before shooting to score

‘It was a proud night for myself but it’s been ruined by the performance.’

It was little surprise that Ten Hag was pleased but he refused to get ahead of himself with a trip to Crystal Palace, where they lost 4-0 last season, up next.

‘For the team, this is the perfect night,’ he said. ‘I wasn’t devastated after Liverpool and I’m not celebrating now.

‘It was a brilliant goal,’ said Ten Hag of Rashford’s first. ‘In my first season he had his fight, his good mood. When I see the teeth from Marcus Rashford I am confident that he will score.

‘They are very hungry but they give each other the ball,’ added the United manager. They give assists and when Antony needs some confidence then Rashy gives him the penalty which is good in a team.’ 

Ten Hag did as he promised and rotated his squad which meant full debuts for £50.5million signing Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer who played at left-back and left his mark on Barry Cotter.

The combative Ugarte flexed his muscles as well, although there was a scare towards the end of the first half when a mistimed challenge from Luca Connell left the Uruguayan needing treatment on a bruised right foot and bloodied knee.