MANCHESTER UNITED 2, NEWCASTLE UNITED 0
Manchester United’s wait of almost six years for silverware ended with victory against Newcastle United in the final of the Carabao Cup.
The Reds’ first trophy in Erik ten Hag’s debut season as manager was secured through first-half goals from player-of-the-match Casemiro and Sven Botman with an own goal.
It was professional performance from back to front with David de Gea’s clean sheet also special. It was a record-breaking 181st shutout as he eclipsed Peter Schmeichel’s record which he equalled last week.
While the Reds celebrated, you felt for Newcastle whose wait for a first major trophy since 1969 continues. Remarkably this is a ninth straight defeat at Wembley, a run stretching back 49 years.
Ten Hag, who became only the second United manager to win a trophy in his first season, said: “This win can be the inspiration to win more.
Embed from Getty Images“This team wants to create history and leave its own legacy.
“We have won a trophy which means something. We have to celebrate and after that keep going.
“We have a big game on Wednesday (West Ham in the FA Cup), every game is a big game, but we will not win if we don’t give 100 per cent.
“We have to suffer every day to win trophies. You have to invest, suffer and sacrifice and give your best every day to celebrate. It is about glory and honour if you want to win things.”
Captain Bruno Fernandes said: “It’s an amazing feeling. We have been searching for this moment. Us the fans and clubs and all together, finally get our trophy and I think deservedly.
“It has been an amazing period, first trophy of the season but we want more it is not enough for this club. We want more and we need more because our standards demand more.
“For me it was about winning trophies and finally we did it. I am satisfied but I want more. I want much more.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said: “We are naturally disappointed, but I was pleased how we played between the boxes.
“It was decided on big moments, and we did not defend the free kick for the first goal or take the chances we created.
“I cannot fault my players and am proud of them. It leaves us with a feeling of defeat in the final which was not nice.
“We are desperate to get back and win a trophy for the fans who were outstanding and it was not nice to see them disappointed at the end.”
As expected, Loris Karius started in goal for his debut ahead of Mark Gillespie, Bruno Guimaraes returned from suspension and Callum Wilson started up front.
Marcus Rashford had shaken off the knock near the end of the Barcelona match and started while Anthony was in for Jadon Sancho and Diogo Dalot replaced Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
If United were serious about targeting Karius early in the match it did not show.
In the opening 20 minutes, the Reds managed only two tame efforts from Wout Weghorst and Antony which were directed straight at the German keeper.
Newcastle had a great chance just after the half hour when Allan Saint-Maximin weaved past Dalot before seeing his angled shot beaten out by David De Gea.
But it was United who broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Casemiro headed home Luke Shaw’s free kick from the left.
There was an anxious wait before the Brazilian’s fifth goal for the Reds was confirmed as there was a lengthy VAR check for a close offside call.
United strengthened their grip on the game when they doubled their advantage six minutes later.
Weghorst slipped in Rashford whose shot deflected off Botman’s boot and looped over the head of Karius. Initially it looked goal number 25 of a remarkable season for the Reds and 16th in the last 19 matches for Rashford but it was later confirmed as a Botman own goal.
Newcastle had a great chance to half the deficit shortly before half time when centre back Dan Byrne glanced a header agonisingly wide following a short corner.
It was so nearly all over in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Weghorst’s bender was destined for the top corner until Karius saved the day with a brilliant tip over, but it was still a long way back for Howe’s side.
There were two changes for the restart, one for either side.
Dalot, who picked up an early booking, was replaced by Wan-Bissaka while for Newcastle Sean Longstaff made way for Alexander Isak,
United managed the second half superbly, never allowing Newcastle to gain a foothold back in the game as they smothered any threats.
Ten Hag made two further changes with 21 minutes left as Fred and Weghorst were replaced by Marcel Sabitzer and Scott McTominay.
Sabitzer immediately almost set up a third goal with a brilliant interception and through ball to release Rashford whose low shot was well kept out by Karius.
And the lively Sabitzer then fired well over as he was out to impress with his cameo,
Sancho for Antony was United’s fourth change with eight minutes left.
Newcastle came close to halving the deficit in the 88th minute when a 30-yard drive from Jacob Murphy flashed past the upright.
Ten Hag’s final change with two minutes left saw Rashford make way for club captain Harry Maguire.
There could have been further goals in the five minutes of stoppage time as De Gea made a brilliant save to claw out a header from Joelinton which was looping in.
Fernandes could have added a third goal as he raced clear only for Karius to make another big block.
It didn’t matter as the celebrations were about to begin with joyous scenes which demonstrated just what it meant to be back winning trophies.