Manchester United secured the first piece of silverware of the Erik Ten Hag era today, after the Red Devils beat Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley in the final of the Carabao Cup.
Despite Newcastle starting as much the brighter of the two sides, the first chance would fall to Man United’s goal-shy striker Wout Weghorst who scuffed his effort into the arms of Loris Karius from 12 yards out.
On the half-hour mark Newcastle got their first real sight at goal when French attacker Allan Saint-Maximin showed some brilliant footwork in the area before forcing David de Gea into a decent save at his near post.
After the emotion of their victory over Barcelona on Thursday Erik Ten Hag will have known he needed big moments from his big-game players at Wembley today, and on 33 minutes that is exactly what he got. Luke Shaw whipped a delicious free-kick into the area and five-time Champions League Casemiro winner rose highest to glance home that crucial first goal.
On 39 minutes the hard-working Weghorst slipped Marcus Rashford in behind the Newcastle defensive line, and when the 25-year-old shot it deflected off Sven Botman and deceived the unfortunate Karius before nestling in the roof of the net.
Newcastle dominated territory and possession during the second period but so well marshalled was United’s backline by the brilliant Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez that the Magpies were unable to ever really threaten De Gea’s goal and the Red Devils held on for their first trophy since 2017.
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ #CarabaoCup winners: Manchester United 🏆🤩 pic.twitter.com/7EbRHBihqe
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 26, 2023
Speaking afterwards skipper Bruno Fernandes was delighted he was able to get his hands on his first trophy as a Man United player.
“It’s an amazing feeling. We have been searching for this moment. Us the fans and club are all together, finally getting 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.”
