Manchester United are preparing to take on Barnsley in the third round of the Carabao Cup but this is not the first time the pair have met in the competition. Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United picked up a 3-0 win against Southampton but must now turn their attention to the third round of the Carabao Cup, a competition the Red Devils have done well in previously. Ten Hag’s United won the Carabao Cup in 2023 and have won the competition on six occasions in total and this would not be the first time that United have met Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

Let’s cast our minds back to 2009. During the 2009/10 campaign, under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United were aiming to win their fourth Premier League title in a row but were also hoping to retain their Carabao Cup title. After beating Tottenham Hotspur on penalties in February of 2009, they were hoping to retain the League Cup in the following campaign. United travelled to Oakwell as they prepared to face Barnsley in the fourth round of the competition.

Ferguson made a plethora of changes for this game against the Yorkshire side with the likes of Wes Brown, Anderson, Gary Neville, featuring as well as Gabriel Obertan, who was given his first start since moving to Old Trafford. United ran out 2-0 victors against Barnsley with Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen scoring the key goals for the Red Devils despite Neville being sent off during the game.

A Look Back at the Clash

Erik ten Hag has spent a lot of money at United since being appointed as manager of the Red Devils, with a mix of experience and youth brought in under the Dutchman. However, Jonny Evans, who Ten Hag signed on a free, lined up against Barnsley the last time these two sides met and there is a decent chance the Northern Irishman could play again. Evans has hinted at retirement possibly at the end of the 2024/25 campaign but for now, the defender is fit and available and could be starting with Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez substituted against Southampton due to injury precautions.

Despite United winning the game comfortably in the end, the game at Oakwell certainly had crowd trouble. The BBC claimed that 10 arrests were made due to the crowd trouble in Yorkshire. Eight catering staff were trapped in their kiosk for 25 minutes and had to barricade themselves in to protect themselves in what turned out to be a rather feisty occasion in South Yorkshire. United won that match and would go on to lift the cup once again at Wembley Stadium in 2010 and Ten Hag’s men will be hoping to repeat the trick this time around.

A Look at the Players

The last time the Reds faced the Premier League giants was in 2009 when the Red Devils beat Barnsley 2-0. Photographer Keith Turner managed to capture the match and below are a series of photos he took. Do you recognise anyone?

This game was an important moment in the careers of some of the players involved. Danny Welbeck, who scored one of the goals for United, would go on to have a successful career at the club, playing over 100 games for the Red Devils. Michael Owen, who scored the other goal for United, was already a well-established player at this point in his career, having won the Ballon d'Or in 2001. However, this game was one of his last for Manchester United, as he left the club the following year. For Barnsley, this game was a chance to showcase their talent against one of the biggest clubs in the world. While they were ultimately defeated, they put up a good fight against a strong United side.

What Can We Expect from This Game?

While both teams have changed a lot since 2009, this game is sure to be a competitive one. Manchester United are still one of the biggest clubs in the world, while Barnsley are a team that has been on the rise in recent years. With both teams looking to make a statement in this game, it is sure to be a tense and exciting encounter.

The Future is Bright

With a new manager at the helm, Manchester United are looking to build on their recent success. Erik ten Hag has brought in a number of new players, and the team is starting to gel under his leadership. While Barnsley are not the same side they were in 2009, they are a team that is capable of causing an upset. With both teams eager to make a statement, this game is sure to be a captivating affair. This time around, the game will be played at Old Trafford, and Manchester United will be hoping to repeat their 2009 success.