EFL Cup Review Manchester United

Manchester United beat Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup.

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This marks United’s first trophy won in just under six years.

United fans will be hoping this is the start of a new dynasty and trophy winning era.

Casemiro opened the scoring before a Sven Botman own goal cemented United’s lead.

Celebrations will be rampant amongst the United squad this evening, before getting back to business on Monday ahead of their FA Cup tie against West Ham on Wednesday.

Key moments in United’s historic victory

With both Newcastle and Manchester United’s fans in full voice, momentum would be a strong factor in this game. Thus, scoring the first goal was crucial.

Neither side started the game particularly well. The opening minutes were quite cagey.

The Red Devil’s had a few half chances which Loris Karius was able to comfortably claim.

In the 22nd minute, Bruno Guimaraes went down with a potential knock. This was concerning for the Magpies who don’t perform as well with the Brazilian out of the side. However, Guimaraes was okay to continue.

Similarly, five minutes later, a clash of heads occurred between Fabian Schar and Lisandro Martinez, after a teasing Kieran Trippier delivery led the defenders to compete in the air.

In the 31st minute, Newcastle had the first big chance of the game. Trippier sent Sean Longstaff behind the United defence. The English midfielder whipped in a dangerous cross which fizzed past everyone. Allan Saint Maximin picked up the scraps before skilfully getting past Diogo Dalot and firing at David De Gea. However, the Spanish goalkeeper was able to fend away the Frenchmen’s effort.

Just two minutes later, Casemiro opened the scoring for United. Rashford won a freekick on the left flank. Luke Shaw fired in a dangerous delivery which the Brazilian rose to meet and head home past Karius.

This gave United a crucial 1-0 lead against a dangerous Newcastle side.

Six minutes later, United doubled their lead. The ball fell to Wout Weghorst in space who turned and drove at the Newcastle defence. Rashford saw a gap in the Newcastle defence and slipped in behind it. Weghorst found Rashford and the English international struck at goal but his effort deflected off Botman and over Karius to give United a convincing lead.

United now had breathing space.

In the fourth minute of added time, Weghorst came close to making it 3-0. The Dutch international found himself in space running in behind the Newcastle defence. Weghorst slowed down before firing at goal from outside of the box. Karius made a fine stop to deny the striker.

Subsequently, United went in 2-0 up at half time.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag made a crucial change at half time. He brought off Portuguese fullback Dalot for Aaron Wan Bissaka.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe brought on Alexander Isak for Longstaff.

Just after half time, Fred had a half chance but unlike against Barcelona, his effort was inaccurate.

Similarly, Antony tried one of his trademark curlers, but the Brazilian failed to get enough whip on it.

In the 68th minute, heroic Manchester United defending prevented Newcastle from getting back into the game. Schar sent a long ball in which De Gea punched away only as far as Joelinton, who’s attempt at goal was blocked before it fell to Callum Wilson, who laid off Guimaraes, but his effort was also blocked.

A minute later, Ten Hag made the decision to bring on Marcel Sabitzer to replace Fred who was on a yellow card. The Dutch manager also brought Weghorst off with Scott McTominay replacing him.

In the 72nd minute, De Gea blocked a haunting Tripper delivery after the Englishman was well found by Guimaraes. However, it would have been ruled out for offside had Newcastle scored.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq2CwLZPcmc

Minutes after, Sabitzer made a brilliant tackle to rob Newcastle of the ball, and set United off on a counter attack. The Austrian immediately released a rampant Rashford who drilled his effort at the Newcastle goal. However, Karius got down well to stop the game being put out of sight.

In the 78th minute, Howe made the decision to bring off danger man Saint-Maximin for Jacob Murphy.

Newcastle began to completely dominate the closing stages, looking for a way back into the game. However, this left them vulnerable to a counter attack at the other end.

Thus, after De Gea punched a Trippier corner away, Fernandes picked the ball up and gave it to Rashford, who found Jadon Sancho. The English international laid it off for Wan Bissaka who’s shot was easy to claim for the German goalkeeper.

In the final minutes, Murphy tried his luck a couple times. However, in the 88th minute, the Englishman was bitterly close to scoring after his long range effort just bended wide of the post.

Ten Hag looked to shut up shop in the 88th minute when he took Rashford off, and brought on club captain Harry Maguire.

In the 92nd minute, De Gea pushed away a looping top corner header from Joelinton.

Two minutes after, United broke on the counter after McTominay robbed Newcastle of possession. The Scot swiftly moved it to Portuguese international Fernandes, who had acres of space to run into. However, the midfielder was caught up so decided to cut in and shoot but Karius was able to deny him.

Subsequently, the game ended 2-0.

Who starred in United’s victory

To win any cup the whole team has to perform. However, in particular, performances from Casemiro, Martinez and Raphael Varane were integral to United’s victory.

Five time Champions League winner Casemiro was phenomenal throughout. Since his arrival at the club in the summer, the Brazilian has revolutionised this United team, today was no different.

Casemiro was everywhere.

His ability to read the play and shield the United defence was pivotal in helping the team keep a clean sheet.

Therefore, his goal just added to his brilliant performance.

Martinez and Varane were excellent.

Since the beginning of their centre half partnership, both Martinez and Varane have performed at the highest level for United.

In the game, both defenders got to everything, preventing any big chances from going De Gea’s way.

As a result, with Casemiro’s shielding and Martinez and Varane’s superb defensive work, this created a formidable defence which Newcastle just couldn’t penetrate through.

In addition to these standouts, Aaron Wan Bissaka had a sublime cameo in the second half.

The English fullback came on to strengthen up the United defence and did just that. Wan-Bissaka completely closed down the threat of Saint-Maximin, so much so that the French man was substituted.

Player ratings

Manchester United:

  • David de Gea – 7
  • Diogo Dalot – 6 / Aaron Wan Bissaka – 8
  • Raphael Varane – 7
  • Lisandro Martinez – 7
  • Luke Shaw – 7
  • Casemiro – 9
  • Bruno Fernandes – 6
  • Fred – 6 / Marcel Sabitzer – 7
  • Marcus Rashford – 7 / Harry Maguire – 6
  • Wout Weghorst – 7 – Scott McTominay – 6
  • Anthony – 6 / Jadon Sancho – 6

Newcastle United:

  • Loris Karius – 6
  • Kieran Trippier – 7
  • Fabian Schar – 6
  • Sven Botman – 5
  • Dan Burn – 5
  • Joelinton – 6
  • Bruno Guimaraes – 7 / Joseph Willock – 6
  • Sean Longstaff – 5 /Alexander Isak – 6
  • Saint Maximin – 7 / Jacob Murphy – 6
  • Callum Wilson – 6 / Matt Ritchie – 6
  • Miguel Almiron – 6 / Elliot Anderson – 6

Top scorers for Manchester United and Newcastle in the League Cup

  1. Marcus Rashford – 5 goals
  2. Bruno Fernandes / Antony Martial – 2 goals
  3. Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes – 2 goals