Manchester United ended a six-year drought for silverware by defeating Newcastle United 2-0 at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
United last won a major trophy in the Europa League in 2017, but they looked at ease against Eddie Howe’s side, as Casemiro’s header and a Marcus Rashford strike proved too much for Newcastle in their first League Cup final appearance since 1976.
“It’s been an incredible moment, the first trophy of the season, but we want more — it’s not enough for this club, we want more and we need more because our standards demand more,” Bruno Fernandes stated.
“It was always about trophies for me, and we eventually got them. I’m happy, yet I want more. I want a lot more.”
There were few clear-cut opportunities in a hectic start, but United opened the scoring on 33 minutes with the first of two quickfire goals from sturdy midfielder Casemiro, sending half of Wembley into a frenzy. The Brazil international superbly flicked a header into the far corner after Luke Shaw produced a stooping cross in from a wide free kick. After a VAR review, he was found to have been played barely onside.
United increased their advantage six minutes later, when Newcastle defender Botman deflected Rashford’s shot into his own goal. Wout Weghorst raced forward and slipped Rashford in behind. Botman redirected the 25-year-shot old’s from a tight angle up and over the extending Loris Karius as United strengthened their grip on the title.
The goal was first judged an own goal by Botman, but it was subsequently given to Rashford, giving the England international his first goal in a final in his seventh appearance.
Weghorst threatened again in first-half stoppage time with a well-struck long-range attempt, but Karius, making his first start since February 2021, was equal to it.
“There are no complaints about how we played; clearly, the scoreboard doesn’t reflect that, and that’s where football can be cruel,” Newcastle boss Howe stated. “I apologise for not being able to meet the expectations of the fans today.”
Newcastle supporters slipped out before the trophy presentation, having formed a sea of black and white with give-away plastic flags on the stadium’s west side during the final minutes. The team has now lost nine consecutive games at Wembley, dating back to the 1974 FA Cup final.
Man United supporters, on the other hand, were ecstatic when Bruno Fernandes lifted the trophy, which they believe would be the first of many under Erik ten Hag.
United have had a better season in their first season under the former Ajax boss. They are now third in the Premier League and remain in the Europa League draw. Ten Hag is the first manager to win a trophy at Old Trafford since Jose Mourinho.
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