Man Utd faces Barnsley in crucial Carabao Cup clash

Manchester United's manager Erik ten Hag has highlighted the significance of the Carabao Cup, emphasizing its importance as a trophy worth competing for. United will face League One side Barnsley in the third round of the competition on Tuesday evening. Ten Hag, who led the team to victory in this tournament during his first season, expressed his desire for the club to aim for trophies, stating that winning is crucial in football. He noted the competitive nature of the tournament, referencing Liverpool's success last year as an example of the attention it garners from teams and owners alike. Currently, Manchester United sits 10th in the Premier League with six points from four matches. After suffering two consecutive defeats, the team bounced back with a 3-0 victory against Southampton. Despite some injury concerns, Ten Hag confirmed that defenders Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui, along with Matthijs de Ligt, are fit for selection against Barnsley. However, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw will miss the match due to ongoing recovery from injuries. Ten Hag also mentioned the potential for new signing Manuel Ugarte to make his first start for the club after debuting as a substitute. The manager indicated that player selection will depend on training performance, highlighting the importance of players earning their place in the lineup through their efforts in practice. As the match approaches, Ten Hag's focus remains on securing a win and advancing in the tournament, reinforcing the club's ambition to compete for silverware this season.