England’s record-breaking champions Manchester United have won the League Cup, their first title in six years.
Dutch coach Erik ten Hag’s team beat Newcastle United 2-0 (2-0) in the final of the competition in London on Sunday. At Newcastle, German reserve goalkeeper Loris Karius made his first competitive appearance in over two years in the final.
The outstanding Man United captain Casemiro (33rd minute) scored the lead at Wembley Stadium after a free kick by Luke Shaw. Shortly thereafter, Marcus Rashford (39th) increased after a template by ex-Wolfsburg player Wout Weghorst for the “Red Devils”, who are currently third in the Premier League.
Newcastle fail to break United defence
At first, the teams competing for a place in the Champions League played a balanced game. In the second half, fifth-placed Newcastle increasingly took control and created a few chances.
Eddie Howe’s team, who have been unbeaten in four Premier League games, have not scored a goal. In the end, Karius prevented Man United from 3-0 after a counterattack by Bruno Fernandes.
Karius with an unexpected effort
Newcastle keeper Karius, who had been number one in goal for Bundesliga club FSV Mainz and Premier League club FC Liverpool for several years, had played his last competitive game on January 30, 2021 for Union Berlin.
The 29-year-old came into action at Wembley because first-choice keeper Nick Pope was suspended due to a red card and substitute goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had already appeared on loan for Man United in the current competition.
First title for Manchester in six years
For Man United it is the first title since 2017. At that time the team had won the League Cup and the Europa League. Newcastle United, which was acquired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund in 2021, missed out on winning their first domestic title in almost five decades.
In 1976 Newcastle lifted the League Cup. The “Magpies” won their last trophy to date in 2006 in the now-defunct UEFA Intertoto Cup.