Erik ten Hag has admitted that the most pleasing aspect about Manchester United's Carabao Cup win was how his side adapted to Newcastle United's 'typical style'.
Manchester United took the trophy home following a 2-0 win against the Magpies in the final at Wembley on Sunday. Casemiro opened the scoring in the 33rd minute after getting his head on the end of Luke Shaw's free-kick before Sven Botman put through his own net just a few minutes later after Marcus Rashford's shot took a wicked deflection off the Dutchman's foot.
Conceding two goals in the space of just six minutes left Newcastle with a mountain to climb after what had been an otherwise encouraging start in the club's first final in nearly 24 years. Indeed, it was Allan Saint-Maximin who came closest to breaking the deadlock just a minute before Manchester United took the lead - only for David de Gea to make a superb save.
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However, Newcastle, to their credit, did not capitulate following that quickfire double and the black-and-whites pushed to get back into the game. For all their possession and territory, though, crucially, Newcastle only had one further shot on target and it was Manchester United who looked the likelier scorers after debutant Loris Karius made fine stops to deny Wout Weghorst, Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United saw out the win and that ability to manage the game delighted ten Hag, who said Newcastle were a 'great team' who 'try to annoy you' before the final.
"We can adapt to different styles," ten Hag told reporters when asked what pleased him the most about the win. "Newcastle have a typical style we can adapt to. We can find a way to win."
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