Sports

Man United win League Cup to end 6-year trophy drought

Manchester United clinched their first major trophy for six years with a 2-0 win over Newcastle in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

United took control by half-time thanks to Casemiro’s header and a Sven Botman own goal and held firm despite Newcastle’s second-half pressure.

Erik ten Hag’s side first silverware since 2017, when they won the League Cup and the Europa League in the Jose Mourinho era, was just reward for a mature display that underlined the impressive work done by Dutchman Ten Hag since he arrived from Ajax last year.

The celebrations that accompanied United’s sixth League Cup triumph could be the first of many trophy parades on the evidence of Ten Hag’s transformative first season.

United remain challengers on three other fronts, sitting third in the Premier League and with an FA Cup fifth round tie against West Ham on Wednesday followed by a Europa League last 16 tie against Real Betis in March.

READ ALSO: Premier League: Tottenham thrash Chealsea 2-0

After 10 years in the wilderness since Alex Ferguson retired having led them to their last Premier League title in 2013, United are finally emerging from one of the darkest period in the club’s illustrious history.

United finished a dismal sixth in the Premier League last season, but Ten Hag has swiftly masterminded their return to relevance

It was fitting that Ten Hag’s maiden trophy success with United came after he met Ferguson for dinner recently and with the Scot watching from the Wembley stands.

Ending United’s longest trophy drought for 40 years is no guarantee of future success, but the steely Ten Hag appears capable of thriving in the unrelenting Old Trafford spotlight.

United co-chairman Avram Glazer, attending his first game since the November announcement that his family are considering offers for the club, might reconsider selling up after viewing what could be the start of a golden era.

Despite failing to win their first major trophy since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, Newcastle can also expect to feature in more showpiece occasions soon.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Senior ISWAP commander Al-Muhajir killed in Malam Fatori

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has confirmed the death of one of its…

3 minutes ago

Rivers govt reveals how Ibas spent ₦302B in six months

The Rivers State government has disclosed to the High Court of Rivers State that over…

50 minutes ago

PDP convention to prove party is alive, set for smooth proceedings – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP)…

2 hours ago

Troops foil oil well vandalism plot in Anambra

Soldiers deployed under the Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe have thwarted an attempt…

2 hours ago

APC hails Tinubu at 74, defends reforms as ‘bold, transformative’

The All Progressives Congress has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his 74th birthday, with the…

2 hours ago

Tinubu to celebrate 74th birthday ‘low key’, reaffirms commitment to Nigeria’s growth

President Bola Tinubu has expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their goodwill messages and support as…

4 hours ago

This website uses cookies.