With a clenched fist that evoked his team’s fight here, Erik ten Hag raises the Carabao Cup, and perhaps raises a new era at Manchester United. The bright Dutch coach has ended the club’s six-year wait for a trophy with this 2-0 win, but what feels just as joyous for his squad and supporters is the signpost of progress it stands for.
Newcastle United’s own wait now goes to at least 55 years, the big return to Wembley ultimately another disappointing defeat to the club that denied them at key moments in the 1990s. Not that the Old Trafford support, who of course sang about Kevin Keegan, should perhaps be too gloating about that. This very run to the final makes it feel that Newcastle’s next trophy won’t be long coming, even if it never really felt like a goal was coming from Eddie Howe’s side here.
