Carabao Cup: Manchester United clinch first major trophy in six years

Dutch coach Erik Ten Hag led Manchester United to a first title victory in six years after a brilliant 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.

Casemiro’s strike and a Sven Botman own goal ensured United players, staff and fans celebrate a much awaited end to their title drought following the final whistle at Wembley.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s wait for a title stretches back to 1969.

Casemiro drew the first blood 33 minutes into the encounter when he headed home Luke Shaw’s free-kick.

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United extended the lead when Dutch defender Sven Botman deflected Marcus Rashford’s shot. The shot beat Newcastle’s stand-in keeper Loris Karius, who deputised for the suspended Nick Pope.

Newcastle gave all they could have to get themselves back in the game in the second half, but all efforts proved abortive.

Are United back to title winning ways?

Victory, they say, is sweet and this was evident when the match ended. One could feel the joy of landing a title on the face of every United player.

The players laughed and celebrated hard as they lifted the trophy after they were donned with their medals.

The last time the Red Devils lifted a trophy was when they were managed by Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho. That season was the 2016/2017 season. Manchester United won both the Carabao Cup and the Europa League that season.

Since then, United have longed to have a grasp of a major trophy and add another silverware to their cabinet.

Ten Hag leading the United resurgence

Indeed, following a string of very impressive performances that have seen a rejuvenated United under Ten Hag, there was no doubt that longing and anticipation would finally be over soonest.

The former Ajax coach has masterminded the brilliant run of a team that was disjointed prior to his arrival in England.

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Last season, United finished sixth on the league table, garnering 58 points in 38 matches. The team finished 35 points behind league winners, and arch rivals, Manchester City.

Ten Hag came in this season and looked to continue a terrible form from the previous campaign. On the 7th of August, United lost 2-1 to Brighton right at the theatre of dreams.

As if that was not enough, the boys in red took it a step further, losing 4-0 to Brentford at the Gtech community Stadium in the next game. At that point, many thought it was going to be another frustrating spell under the Dutchman.

However, many believed and that belief is gradually paying off, at least judging by the results delivered so far. Ten Hag has turned things around and has put smiles on the faces of the fans once again.

It is even more impressive to say the Manchester club are still in the running for a quadruple. The Old Trafford outfit are very much alive in the FA Cup, UEFA Europa League and are undoubtedly Premier League contenders also.

Manchester United winning the Carabao Cup is definitely a step in the right direction. The fans can believe once again that they have returned to title winning ways.