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Man Utd secure first trophy under Ten Hag

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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire of Manchester United lift the Carabao Cup trophy following victory in the Carabao Cup Final match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire of Manchester United lift the Carabao Cup trophy following victory in the Carabao Cup Final match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Manchester United secured their first trophy under Erik ten Hag after defeating Newcastle United 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday evening.

Man United made two changes to the side that edged past Barcelona in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, as Antony and Diogo Dalot were recalled while Marcus Rashford shrugged off an injury in the tail end of that game to start.

Newcastle goalkeeper Loris Karius got his first start for the club as Nick Pope was suspended and Martin Dubravka was cup-tied.

The game got off to a frantic start and Man United had an opening on 13 minutes after Wout Weghorst found himself in a big space in the box from a flick by Fred but he fired a tame effort that was gathered by Karius.

Eddie Howe's charges were a threat going forward, particularly through the pace and skill of Allan Saint-Maximin, who came close to breaking the deadlock on 32 minutes after dribbling past Dalot and fired a powerful shot that was met by the strong hand from goalkeeper David de Gea.

The Red Devils were clinical with their big chance just a minute later as Casemiro broke the deadlock with a clean header towards the far post from a cross by Luke Shaw that needed to be confirmed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Erik ten Hag's men were swift going forward, as Rashford quickly doubled their lead six minutes later with a strike that took a deflection off Fabian Schar and looped over Karius after he went through on goal. 

Howe reacted by reinforcing the attack at half-time, as Alexander Isak came on for Sean Longstaff and the Magpies put the Red Devils under pressure in the early stages, who were happy to sit deep and absorb the pressure.

With Newcastle unrelenting with their pressure, the Red Devils brought reinforcements in midfield with a double change 20 minutes before time as Marcel Sabitzer and Scott McTominay entered the field.

Man United could get out of the Magpies' high press after the changes as Rashford almost ended the game as a contest five minutes later with a low shot that was well saved by Karius towards the bottom corner from a through ball by Sabitzer.

Ten Hag eventually closed shop in the dying minutes as Harry Maguire replaced Rashford, while De Gea denied Joelinton a consolation goal for Newcastle in stoppage time as Man United held on and were crowned Carabao Cup champions for the sixth time.

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