Man Utd win EFL Cup: What we learned . We examine the major talking points as Ten Hag seeks to extend the Red Devils’ winning streak.
The EFL Cup final saw Manchester United defeat Newcastle United, ending their nearly six-year wait for a major trophy, but both teams left with the slogan “This is just the start.”
It represents what Man Utd hopes will be the first step on Erik ten Hag’s route to a trophy-laden future.
The fact that seven of the past nine EFL Cup winners also went on to win another trophy the following year bodes well for United.
The Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Europa League are all in reach for Ten Hag’s team as they continue to battle on three fronts.
United is eight points behind league leader Arsenal in third place in the Premier League.
On Wednesday, they return to the FA Cup, hosting West Ham United in the fifth round.
United will play Real Betis in the round of 16 of the Europa League.
Ten Hag is craving more.
After the game, Ten Hag made it plain that the EFL Cup victory needed to be the beginning of another extended spell of success for the team, similar to the one they experienced under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Man Utd win EFL Cup: What we learned
We needed to take home the first trophy, which we did today, according to Ten Hag. “I believe this gives us a lot of inspiration and increases our self-assurance that we can accomplish it. Getting Manchester United back to winning trophies, where they belong, is still in the early stages. The first one is this.”
Previous Man Utd managers who won a domestic cup as their first trophy experienced varying fates.
Ferguson won the FA Cup in 1990 and then went on to enjoy an outstanding career at Old Trafford, winning a record 38 trophies. He was asked back inside the Manchester United dressing room to share his knowledge with the players.
In contrast, Jose Mourinho’s reign turned sour and ended in December 2018 despite the fact that he also won the EFL Cup and the Europa League in 2017.
Stars with experience are crucial
At Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Casemiro, Raphael Varane, and David De Gea’s winning attitudes were essential to Man Utd’s ability to maintain the lead after Newcastle’s promising start.
Casemiro scored the game’s first goal with a header while playing his first domestic match since February 4 after serving a three-match suspension. He also commanded the central midfield area.
The Brazilian has won four UEFA Champions Leagues, three FIFA Club World Cups, one Copa del Rey, and one EFL Cup in his last nine championship matches, which is remarkable.
Varane and De Gea also supplied the crucial on-field leadership needed in games under pressure.
David De Gea, Raphael Varane, and Casemiro are all skilled trophy-winners, according to Ten Hag. “You need such fellas on the field to direct the squad, coach the team, and organize the team, not just from a tactical standpoint but especially from a mental perspective. It’s crucial to have a winning attitude. They must bring it to the team and into the locker room. They have to manage difficult situations, and they did it once more.”
