Erik ten Hag has won the first trophy available to him as Manchester United manager, secured with the 2-0 win against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, as we recorded our sixth success in the competition.
Casemiro opened the scoring when heading in a Luke Shaw free-kick and the lead was doubled before the interval when Marcus Rashford’s shot looped in off Sven Botman, eventually going down as own goal by the Dutch defender.
In a rather scrappy second half, Newcastle had more of the game as they tried to retrieve the situation but Loris Karius was still the busier of the two keepers, as the Reds continued to threaten on the break, even if David De Gea did have to make one late stop, from Joelinton, in stoppage time.
In the dying seconds, Bruno Fernandes should have added a third but Karius pulled off a miraculous save.
The Reds last lifted the trophy six years ago to the day, when beating Southampton 3-2, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed a late winner. De Gea was the only current Red to start that game, although Rashford came on as a substitute.
Ibrahimovic netted twice, with Jesse Lingard also on the scoresheet, as Manolo Gabbiadini hit a brace for the Saints.
United’s first game in the competition was in 1960 and we had to wait until 1992 before winning it. This was after two defeats in finals – in 1983 to Liverpool when it was branded the Milk Cup and 1991, when Sheffield Wednesday beat us in the Rumbelows Cup final. A year later, Brian McClair’s goal earned a 1-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest.
Another final loss, to Aston Villa, denied us a domestic Treble in 1993/94 and it was not until 2005/06 when we lifted the trophy again. Wigan Athletic were vanquished in Cardiff with goals from Wayne Rooney (2) , Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo earning a 4-0 victory.
In 2008/09, a goalless final with Tottenham was followed by a 4-1 penalty shoot-out win, with goalkeeper Ben Foster the hero.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s team enjoyed success again in 2009/10, becoming the first team since Nottingham Forest (1979 and 1980) to retain the trophy. After disposing of local rivals Manchester City in a pulsating two-legged semi-final, Michael Owen and Rooney grabbed the goals in a 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa at Wembley.
Seven years later, the Zlatan-inspired Reds beat the Saints during Jose Mourinho’s reign and Ten Hag’s men did the business against Newcastle to ensure more silverware after a six-year wait for any trophy, with the 2016/17 Europa League our last one.
As a consequence, we move third in the all-time list of League Cup winners behind Liverpool (nine) and Manchester City (eight).
Source: Man United Online
