Ten Hag wins first trophy with Manchester United

Dutch soccer coach Erik Ten Hag won his first trophy as Manchester United manager after they defeated Newcastle United 2-0 in The Carabao Cup final.  

This was Manchester United’s first trophy since 2017, while their opponents have not won a major trophy since 1969.

Newcastle and Manchester United created a northern invasion in London as both clubs sold out their allocation at Wembley.

Manchester United’s goals came from former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro and an own-goal from Newcastle United defender Sven Botman.

Newcastle United did rally in the second half but were unable to respond to Manchester United’s two goals.  Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes nearly added a third goal close to full-time, but a good save from Newcastle United goalkeeper Lorius Karius denied him.

Erik Ten Hag spoke to Sky Sports after the game.

“Yet again this evening, they had the right spirit. It’s a very good spirit, they act as a team and fight, give everything.”

“It was not always the best football, but it was effective. Firstly, you have to win the first one [trophy]. We will get a lot of inspiration from this, but also more confidence that we can do it.”

“We are still in a start to restore Man Utd to where they belong, which is winning trophies and this is the first one.”

“I said before the game, Rafa Varane, Casemiro, David de Gea, they know how to win trophies. You need such lads on the pitch to point the team, to coach them, to organise, not only from a tactical prospect but especially mentally.

“The winning attitude, they have to bring it in the dressing room, in the team in different situations and they’ve done that.”

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said he was proud of his team and hopes that his players will be motivated to reach another final.

“I thought we were really competitive. I can’t fault the players and what they’ve given me in this game. The game is decided on big moments and the free-kick, we’ve not defended it well enough, and they are the moments we’ll look back on.”

“It leaves us with a feeling of a defeat in a final and that is never nice. We are desperately disappointed but already for me you look to the future, and you are desperate to get back here and win a trophy.”

“To see the supporters, who have been absolutely incredible for us this year, disappointed and hurt, it hurts bad, and the motivation now is to get back here and win them the trophy they deserve.”

Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville paid tribute to Erik Ten Hag by saying he’d turned he players from “whingers to winners.”

“It’s about one man that has transformed a team from whiners into winners – what a job Erik ten Hag has done. Players are out there that shouldn’t have played for Manchester United again but they are performing at a high level.”

“They have a spirit and a fight. There is a real chance of winning trophies beyond this. He makes good decisions in matches – his subs were critical in making sure they saw this game out. It’s been a brilliant last few months.”

“At the end of last season, some of those players were part of a team labelled a disgrace by me and other Man Utd fans. It was horrible to watch. They were divided. The turnaround is transformational. It’s unbelievable what Erik ten Hag has done.”

“From 2003 and 2006, we didn’t win a trophy and you feel like you’re never going to win a league again, or you’re not going to be up there again. This trophy was the catalyst for feeling confident and putting belief into the squad.”

“This squad will be dangerous with a medal around their neck because you like to think Erik ten Hag is going to improve them again in the next 12 to 18 months. They’re not close to Arsenal or Man City, that’s clear, but where they are and what they’re doing is something I never would have imagined six months ago.”

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane said he hoped that better days would return to Old Trafford.

“Look at the players’ and supporters’ reactions, they’ve been desperate for success. All the build-up was about Newcastle and how desperate they were. But these players, the manager, it’s been five, six, seven years now, that seems a long time.”

“They deserve the victory, they were efficient, and scored two good goals. It was a long way back for Newcastle who stuck at it, but hopefully this is the start of the good days coming back to Man Utd.”