Carabao Cup: Manchester United win first trophy in six years

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For the first time in six years, Manchester United have finally won a ‘major’ trophy, and they did it in style; beating Newcastle United 2-0 at Wembley on Sunday in the final of the Carabao Cup, otherwise known as the League Cup.

United had not won any silverware since 2017 before getting it right on Sunday.

This has been the longest trophy drought for the Red Devils in 40 years, but all that is now history after two first-half goals saw them overcome the Magpies who themselves have endured a longer trophy drought.

 Casemiro’s header and an unfortunate Sven Botman’s own goal settled things in favour of United in Sunday’s final at Wembley.

With this feat, the good times appear to be back for Manchester United as they celebrate their first major trophy of the Erik ten Hag era.

The Dutch tactician is the second Man United manager after Mourinho to win a trophy in his first season

United and Newcastle headed to Wembley desperate for a victory that could provide the catalyst to a brighter future and it was Ten Hag’s men that had the last laugh.

It was a painful end to the Magpies’ first final since losing by the same scoreline to the same opposition in the 1999 FA Cup showpiece.

As expected, the Magpies were no pushovers for United who will have their goalkeeper David de Gea to thank for some of his stunning saves.

On one of the many occasions, De Gea was very alert to deny Allan Saint-Maximin’s close-range shot late in the first half.

Within seven minutes of that save the Red Devils had control of the final, with Casemiro heading home Luke Shaw’s free-kick before Botman deflected a Marcus Rashford strike over Loris Karius.

The third-choice goalkeeper, making his debut and first competitive appearance in 728 days, denied Wout Weghorst from putting the game to bed in first-half stoppage time.

Still with a fighting chance to win the Premier and still very much in contention in both the FA Cup and the Europa League, the days ahead for United under Ten Hag look very promising.