Manchester United ended their six-year wait for silverware as they beat Newcastle United 2-0 to win the Carabao Cup at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
United last won a major trophy in their 2017 Europa League campaign, but looked comfortable in their display against Eddie Howe’s side as Casemiro‘s header and a Sven Botman own goal gave Newcastle too much to overcome in their first League Cup final appearance since 1976.
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There was little in the way of clear-cut chances in a frantic beginning, but United opened the scoring on 33 minutes in the first of two quickfire goals as stalwart midfielder Casemiro sent one half of Wembley into pandemonium.
Luke Shaw delivered a stooping ball in from a wide free-kick and the Brazil international expertly glanced a header into the far corner. He was deemed to have been played marginally onside after a VAR check.
– Man United win Carabao Cup, look poised to return to former glory under Ten Hag
With the momentum in their favour, United doubled their lead six minutes later as Newcastle defender Botman guided Marcus Rashford‘s effort into his own goal. Wout Weghorst burst forward and played Rashford in behind, whose shot from a narrow angle was diverted up and over the stretching Loris Karius by Botman as United tightened their grip on the trophy.
Weghorst threatened again in first-half stoppage time with a well-struck effort from distance, but Karius — who made his first start since February 2021 — was equal to it.
Newcastle returned in the second half with an improved yet toothless performance, with Joelinton coming closest but having his shot well-blocked by Lisandro Martinez, as United comfortably saw out the victory.
Newcastle’s fans, who had created a sea of black and white with give-away plastic flags at the stadium’s west side during the closing minutes, drifted away before the trophy presentation. The club has now lost each of their last nine matches at Wembley, a run that began in the 1974 FA Cup final.
By contrast Man United’s fans were in full voice as Bruno Fernandes raised the trophy which they hope will be the first of many under Erik ten Hag.
United have enjoyed an improved season in their first term under the former Ajax manager. They’re third in the Premier League table and still in the Europa League draw. Ten Hag is the first manager at Old Trafford to win silverware since Jose Mourinho.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report.