Manchester United lifted the Carabao Cup to end a six-year trophy doubt as they produced one of the most comfortable football results of the weekend. Erik ten Hag’s team opened the scoring at Wembley with Casemiro, and they increased their lead before the break thanks to a Sven Botman own goal. It is their first trophy since winning the Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2017, and it may be the first of a potential quadruple, with United remaining in the FA Cup, Europa League, and with a chance to win the Premier League. Newcastle’s 54-year trophy drought – and 68-year domestic trophy drought – continues.
Newcastle started brightly, but Manchester United gained control after 33 minutes, as Casemiro soared to head home Luke Shaw’s free kick. There was a VAR check, but the Brazilian was ruled to be onside by a hair’s breadth. Marcus Rashford linked wonderfully with Wout Weghorst before rushing into the box and watching his effort ricochet off of Botman before eluding Loris Karius in the Newcastle goal.
Eddie Howe introduced Alexander Isak at halftime to try to change the tide, but Newcastle was unable to break down a strong and persistent red wall, and Manchester United won. They could have added a late third in stoppage time when Bruno Fernandes raced through on a break, but he was denied by Karius from close range. What a performance, and what a signing he has turned out to be. If there were any skeptics before his arrival at Manchester United, they have been silenced. Casemiro is a one-of-a-kind and superb midfielder who can do everything. He has shown to be an absolute steal, even at his age and for the amount they paid.
Manchester United has won the League Cup for the sixth time in the competition’s history, trailing only Liverpool (9) and Manchester City (8). Five of those six titles were released after the turn of the century. Newcastle has lost both League Cup finals (both in 1976), becoming one of only six teams to reach more than one League Cup final without winning the cup (also Bolton, Everton, Southampton, Sunderland, and West Ham).
Manchester United won their first major title in five years and 278 days, the UEFA Europa League in 2017. This is their first major trophy since 1983, when they won the FA Cup six years and five days after their previous accolade, the 1977 FA Cup. Newcastle had lost their last nine matches at Wembley, dating back to the 1974 FA Cup final, extending the club’s longest-ever losing streak at the arena.
“We are continuing in the process of restoring Manchester United to its rightful place, which is to win trophies, and this is the first one,” Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag said. “Before the game, I stated that Rafa Varane, Casemiro, and David de Gea know how to win trophies. You need such players on the field to guide the team, coach them, and organize them, not just tactically but also mentally. They had to bring the winning attitude into the locker room and the team in many scenarios, which they have done.”
“I believed we were fierce competitors. I can’t complain about the gamers or what they’ve provided me in this game. The game is determined by major moments and the free-kick, which we haven’t defended well enough, and these are the moments we’ll remember,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said. “It gives us a sense of defeat in a final, which is never pleasant. We are deeply upset, but for me, you are already looking forward to returning here and winning a trophy. It hurts a lot to see our supporters, who have been absolutely wonderful this year, upset and hurt, and the drive now is to get back here and bring them the trophy they deserve.”
Manchester United will now focus on the FA Cup, with West Ham visiting Old Trafford on Wednesday at 7.45 p.m. Erik ten Hag’s team will then face Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday; kick-off is at 4.30 p.m. Newcastle’s next game is against Manchester City on Saturday at 12.30 p.m. Eddie Howe’s side will then host Wolves on Sunday, March 12 at 4.30 p.m.
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