It will take more than the Carabao Cup to prove Manchester United are back, but it could prove a significant step in their renaissance nonetheless. Erik ten Hag is one win away from the first silverware of his reign, United needing only one victory to end a six-year trophy drought. A semi-final was in effect decided in Nottingham last week. The formalities were concluded with a 12th consecutive triumph at Old Trafford. Newcastle United await in a repeat of the 1999 FA Cup final, and Manchester United would appreciate the same result.
Part of the significance lay in Jadon Sancho’s return, with the winger making his first appearance since October and greeted by a loud cheer by the United fans. The first goal came from a forward whose absence was briefer. Anthony Martial came off the bench to make his first appearance since the Manchester derby and lashed in a shot after he tried to find Marcus Rashford. Instead, Scott McKenna blocked but redirected the ball to the Frenchman.
