Manchester United legend Gary Neville says his former side still aren't on a level with the likes of Manchester City or Arsenal, despite winning the Carabao Cup.
The Red Devils secured the first major honour up for grabs this season as Erik ten Hag ended the club's six-year wait for a trophy just six months into his debut season at Old Trafford. Goals from Casemiro and a Sven Botman own goal were enough to break Newcastle hearts and ensure United lifted the trophy underneath the iconic Wembley arch.
The League Cup has often been the subject of intense scrutiny, with some calling for the competition to be scrapped to ease fixture congestion. However, the United players celebrated the trophy like it meant everything come the full-time whistle.
By winning the Carabao Cup, United's hopes of an unlikely quadruple are still alive given they have both an FA Cup fifth-round clash with West Ham and a two-legged Europa League round-of-16 tie against Real Betis to look forward to in the coming weeks.
Given they are eight points behind league-leaders Arsenal after 24 games played, United can't be entirely written off when it comes to the title race either. Larger points gaps have been made up over the years and optimism is sky-high among the Red Devils faithful.
With that being said, Neville has admitted he doesn't feel United are currently operating at the same level as the two sides above them in the league table.
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"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."
That's not to suggest Neville isn't incredibly excited by the direction in which United are heading, he said as much after the game.
"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."
Fellow United legend Roy Keane shared Neville's sentiments when it came to how the team could develop under Ten Hag and how there should be plenty more to come from this current crop.
He added: "They’ve recruited well, they’ve got a spirit. They weren’t at their best today but they won a football match and the fans appreciate that.
"There’s a lot of hard work ahead, the players have got to use this as a springboard to get more trophies over the next few years, that’s what it’s about playing for Man United."
