(Football news) Manchester United won the Carabao Cup after securing a 2-0 victory over Newcastle at the Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Casemiro scored the opening goal in the 33rd minute with a header from Luke Shaw’s freekick, showing exactly why the Brazilian is considered to be a big game player while in-form forward Marcus Rashford doubled the advantage in the 39th minute, capitalising on Wout Weghorst’s assist when his deflected strike went past Loris Karius. There was confusion with regards to whether it’s an own goal by Sven Botman or attributed to Rashford, but the 25 year old England international was deservedly given the goal.
The last time Manchester United won a trophy was in 2017, which was the Europa League under Jose Mourinho. With the Red Devils still in the FA Cup, Europa League and in contention for the Premier League title, there is a small chance of winning the quadruple for Erik ten Hag’s side in what is already turning out to be a successful season.
Newcastle, who haven’t won a domestic trophy since 68 years will have to wait a little longer but under the Saudi ownership, it feels like a matter of when and not if with regards to their next trophy considering their financial prowess. While it was far from a vintage and dominant performance by Manchester United, they got the job done amidst a busy run of fixtures and will now shift their attention to West Ham in the FA Cup.
Speaking after the match, Erik ten Hag said “Yet again this evening, they had the right spirit. It’s a very good spirit, they act as a team and fight, give everything. It was not always the best football, but it was effective. Firstly, you have to win the first one [trophy]. We will get a lot of inspiration from this, but also more confidence that we can do it.
“We are still in the process of restoring Man Utd to where they belong, which is winning trophies and this is the first one. I said before the game, Rafa Varane, Casemiro, David de Gea, they know how to win trophies. You need such lads on the pitch to point the team, to coach them, to organise, not only from a tactical prospect but especially mentally. The winning attitude, they have to bring it in the dressing room, in the team in different situations and they’ve done that.”
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said “I thought we were really competitive. I can’t fault the players and what they’ve given me in this game. The game is decided on big moments and the free-kick, we’ve not defended it well enough, and they are the moments we’ll look back on. It leaves us with a feeling of a defeat in a final and that is never nice.
“We are desperately disappointed but already for me you look to the future, and you are desperate to get back here and win a trophy. To see the supporters, who have been absolutely incredible for us this year, disappointed and hurt, it hurts bad, and the motivation now is to get back here and win them the trophy they deserve.”
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