GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!!!

Manchester United has finally ended their six-year wait for a trophy! With a 2-0 win over Newcastle United, Erik ten Hag, the Dutch coach, has raised the Carabao Cup and possibly ushered in a new era for the club. It’s not all bad news for Newcastle, though they have to wait at least another 55 years for their next trophy, this run to the final indicates that it won’t be long coming.

Newcastle just couldn’t seem to get past the incredible David de Gea, who set a club record for clean sheets. Even with Loris Karius, Newcastle’s goalkeeper, making one fine late save, it wasn’t enough to stop Manchester United’s man-of-the-match, Casemiro’s brilliant header and Marcus Rashford’s deflected strike.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 26: Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire of Manchester United lift the Carabao Cup trophy following victory in the Carabao Cup Final match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The game was characterized by constant chants from the Manchester United end about getting the Glazers out. Avram Glazer attended the game, which fanned stories that they will ultimately decide not to sell.

Despite Manchester United not playing their most exciting game of late, the impressive pragmatism that Ten Hag showed within his grander idea was particularly impressive. Manchester United very evidently ceded the ball to Newcastle for most of the first half, which undercut some of their qualities. Newcastle’s current form isn’t helping them score goals, and their current squad is still in progress. Bruno Guimaraes, their best player here, just looks a level above the rest of their side.

For all Manchester United looked below their recent level, they still have so many attacking weapons. There was an irony in how one was where Newcastle is supposed to be strongest. That was a header from a set-piece.

In the end, it was a huge ask for Newcastle, who had only scored more than once in one game this calendar year. Manchester United was resolute, and all of Casemiro, Fred, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and – above all – Lisando Martinez were offering thunderous challenges.

It was an irony for a team that has made a virtue of being “nasty”, and the game occasionally devolved into scraps. Manchester United rose above it, however, to lift the League Cup.