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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Man Utd end six-year wait for silverware and break Newcastle hearts - 5 talking points

Manchester United are the Carabao Cup champions after beating Newcastle 2-0, meaning their six-year wait for silverware is over.

The atmosphere inside Wembley long before the players emerged from the tunnel was nothing short of remarkable, with Newcastle's travelling faithful in particular making plenty of noise.

Though it had been 24 years since Newcastle's last major final against the same opponents, the Magpies didn't show many signs of nerves and enjoyed a fast start with some early pressure. Eddie Howe's men showed real composure in the middle of the park.

However, it was United who drew first blood with Casemiro heading home from an inviting Luke Shaw free-kick just after the half-hour mark. The goal, much like every single one that happens nowadays, was subject to a nervy VAR check but Stockley Park deemed the Brazilian just onside.

Things got even better for United six minutes later, as Marcus Rashford found the net yet again via a deflected effort that in truth stand-in shot-stopper Loris Karius should have done better with. It was declared a Sven Botman own goal soon after.

Ten Hag handed club captain Harry Maguire some minutes during the last knockings as he tried to shut up shop late on. It did the trick as United held on for a memorable afternoon at Wembley.

Mirror Football has analysed five talking points as Ten Hag secured his first trophy as United manager.

Erik ten Hag has won Man Utd their first trophy for six years ((Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))

United's wait for a trophy ends

Ten Hag's stock is already sky high among the United fanbase six months into his first season at the helm, but this may be the moment that kickstarts an illustrious period for the club.

The Dutchman has made great strides in trying to restore the Red Devils to their former glories and winning their first trophy since the 2017 Europa League is another step in the right direction.

Ten Hag is quickly establishing himself as one of the shrewdest tacticians in English football, with his in-game management skills on show as he introduced both of Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer to try and thwart the momentum Newcastle were building at the tail-end of the second-half.

Optimism must be sky high among the United faithful that the good times and even bigger honours can't be too far away under Ten Hag based on Sunday's showing.

Casemiro scored Man Utd's first goal of the game ((Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images))

Casemiro comes in clutch

The former Real Madrid man was one of the most decorated and experienced players on the pitch and acted as such.

Opening the scoring was an added bonus to what was an already stellar display from Casemiro, but his goal showed just how gifted he is. The defensive midfielder rose highest to head beyond Karius as if he were a veteran striker.

A man for the big occasion, Casemiro has now won 11 of the 13 major finals he has played in over the course of his career.

His rally cry to the United faithful after tackling Joelinton could prove to be one of the defining images of the Red Devils season as Casemiro cements his place in the hearts of Red Devils' supporters.

Marcus Rashford pulled the strings for United in attack ((Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images))

Rashford's influence shines through

The England international has been in remarkable goal-scoring form this term and the fact United's second wasn't credited to him will not take the shine off his performance.

The dubious goals panel had to take a look at it given it took quite the deflection off of Sven Botman, but Rashford didn't seem to care as he wheeled away and did his trademark 'point to the head' celebration.

While the 25-year-old wasn't aware at that stage it would go down as a Botman own goal, the timing of this strike was so vital in United's effort to win this tie.

By bagging the second so close to Casemiro's opener, it served as a total sucker punch to an already reeling Newcastle.

There was no fairytale ending for Loris Karius against Man Utd ((Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images))

Karius-watch

All eyes were on Loris Karius for this clash, with the former Liverpool ace thrust into the limelight as a result of Nick Pope's suspension and Martin Dubravka being cup-tied.

It was the German's shot-stopper first senior appearance for two years and United's players were clearly trying to get in his head early on by crowding round him for the first corner of the game.

Karius has long had to live with the repercussions that followed his 2018 Champions League final horror show and while he avoided such calamity on this occasion, he didn't exactly cover himself in glory either.

There was nothing he could have done about Casemiro's header, but there is an arguement he went to ground far too early for Rashford's goal and was beaten by a deflection he would have otherwise dealt with.

Newcastle were the ones left frustrated this time around ((Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images))

Newcastle's wind-up tactics fail

Ten Hag increased the tension between the two teams in the days leading up to this clash when he labelled Newcastle as 'annoying'.

Magpies skipper Trippier responded by claiming he didn't know what all the fuss was about, but it was prominent early on. Callum Wilson stood in front of a United free-kick to try and delay it being take, which earned him a swift shove from Fred.

There was a similar incident between Fabian Schar and Wout Weghorst, with the Newcastle defender blocking the Dutchman's run by sheer force. Weghorst responded by shoving his Swiss counterpart.

However, despite Ten Hag's fears, the fact United took such a commanding lead so early on ensured a lot of Newcastle's usual dark arts were left redundant.

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