Carabao Cup

MANCHESTER UNITED ditched their sponsored Carabao Cup final suits — because it would take the players too long to get changed.Boss Erik ten Hag was unhappy at his tight pre-match schedule being altered.
Man Utd remain on for all four trophies this seasonCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
Erik ten Hag’s attention to detail can be compared to that of Sir Alex FergusonCredit: EPA
He did not want the Paul Smith-sponsored outfits being worn on arrival at Wembley, as players would then need to change into training gear for their pre-match walkabout on the pitch.
Ten Hag — who celebrated the 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Newcastle with Sir Alex ­Ferguson — was backed by club officials.
The players were expected to wear their club suits when they arrived at the national stadium.
After all Paul Smith is a sponsor and this was a stage to show off their outfits as the players disembarked their team bus which had to travel about 250 yards from their Novotel base.
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But Ten Hag didn’t like the idea so rang up a club official.
The official was on the other side of the world and asleep but took the call and listened to the manager’s concerns.
By wearing the club suits, he explained, rather than their training kit, it would take an extra ten minutes out their schedule.
They would have to change out the suits and then put their training kit on once at Wembley to warm up, before putting on their match strips.
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He had calculated how long this would take and everything had been planned to the minute.
And for familiarity, they always wore training kit on the coach when playing away as well.
Ten Hag leaves nothing to chance, every detail no matter how insignificant it might be is very significant him. From the very big calls, to the minutiae.
So Ten Hag got his way on the suits, they arrived ready in their training kit. He has control, he gets his way. That is what Manchester United needed, someone to have that control.
It is the big thing Sir Alex Ferguson wanted and got and is now recognised in the success now being experienced by the Dutchman.
It is why parallels may soon start to be drawn.
In the week leading up to Thursday’s Europa League clash with Barcelona and this Carabao Cup final, Ten Hag had gone out for dinner with Sir Alex to tap into his knowledge.
No surprise then when totally unprompted on Friday he raised the subject of Newcastle’s ‘annoying’ time wasting.
Planting just a little seed in referee David Coote’s head. It could have been Fergie himself sat there – little details.
Ten Hag gets the big decisions right too. Like convincing the club board that at 30-years-old and after ten years and five Champions League at Real Madrid, Casemiro still had more to give and £70million was a price worth paying.
Watch the player’s delight when he scores in this final, how he sinks to his knees with emotion when Marcus Rashford makes it two and revs the crowd up after making a block tackle later.
This is not just a last big pay day for him. Ten Hag looked into the character as well as the player, it’s what Sir Alex always did.
He got it right too when he convinced everyone that at 5ft 9” Lisandro Martinez would work as a centre-back in English football and was worth the £56.7million.
The little guy was immense at Wembley as he had been last Thursday against Barcelona.
It is not just the additions but what Ten Hag has done with what he inherited, including getting Cristiano Ronaldo out.
The transformation in Rashford, who is enjoying his best season yet, is of course the stand-out example.
You could go on throughout most of the team. Ten Hag looks at the whole but takes time with the individual.
He has got Manchester United back and given fans hope again as he did pre-match in the Carabao Cup final programme.
Ten Hag said: “From the moment I walked into Old Trafford last summer, I stressed that the long-term aim for us is to return to a state of consistently winning the biggest trophies available.
“Once you win one, it can become a habit. That first taste of silverware makes you want more and more.
“I think we are still just at the beginning of what we can achieve together.”
He believes it, the players believe it and most importantly the fans believe it.
The biggest cheer was reserved for the boss when the steps were climbed by all to lift the trophy.
Home and away supporter Paul Finley, 36, was at Wembley for this.
Finley said: “For some time I have just wanted to go to watch my team with my mates and enjoy what I see on the pitch.
“Erik Ten Hag has made that happen. He has singlehandedly transformed this club. It is amazing what he is doing.”
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A club that was broken has been rebuilt.
Manchester United and Ten Hag – it suits.
Erik ten Hag clinched his first trophy as Man Utd bossCredit: Reuters
The United players did not arrive in suits as normal for the finalCredit: Getty More

PHIL JONES has hinted at a new career move after being plagued by injuries.That’s after making a surprise appearance during Manchester United’s Carabao Cup win over Newcastle.
Phil Jones made a surprise appearance as Man Utd won the Carabao CupCredit: Getty
Jones hinted at a future in punditry after appearing on Sky SportsCredit: Sky Sports
The Red Devils secured their first trophy in six years with a 2-0 victory at Wembley.
And Erik ten Hag even busted out some dance moves as United fans celebrated their latest win.
But there were even more reasons for supporters to be cheerful.
That’s after club icon Jones, 31, made an appearance as a pundit on Sky Sports.
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The defender has made just 13 appearances in the last four seasons after suffering numerous knee injuries.
Jones’ last appearance for United came 10 months ago.
And the centre-back, who joined the club in 2011, delighted fans by declaring after the game: “This is a big mark to tell everyone that United are back.”
However, it appears Jones has his sights set on moving into punditry permanently.
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He said: “It’s been a long road, there’s no hiding from that – at times physically and mentally.
“I’m a strong character and I love playing football. I’m doing everything I can to get back on the pitch.
“When you’ve had all the issues and injury wise, it’s hard to deal with that.
“The club have been absolutely fantastic with me. I think I’ve had good support around me from family and friend.
“I’m grateful for that and I want to be back outside.” More

ROY KEANE has told Erik ten Hag he should RESIGN as Manchester United manager.That’s after the Dutchman broke his golden rule while celebrating Sunday’s Carabao Cup win.
Roy Keane reckons Erik ten Hag should resign for his Carabao Cup celebrationsCredit: Reuters
The Dutchman broke Keane’s one golden rule on the pitchCredit: Sky Sports
United beat Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley to lift their first trophy in six years.
Ten Hag has transformed the Red Devils’ fortunes since replacing Ralf Rangnick last summer.
And the future looks bright for fans as they remain in the hunt for the FA Cup and Europa League – and possibly still the Premier League title.
However, Ten Hag jokingly got on the wrong side of former United hardman Keane today.
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That’s by DANCING on the pitch with Antony and Lisandro Martinez.
Keane is not a fan of busting out moves in football, having criticised Brazil boss Tite during the World Cup.
And after Ten Hag joined Sky Sports’ punditry team to deliver his post-match thoughts, Keane hilariously declared: “You should resign after that! You should resign tonight!”
This saw Ten Hag burst out laughing as he soaked in the positive atmosphere at Wembley.
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He responded: “I did it before. We have history together, we hope we can do it [more].”
Before the Dutchman joined, Keane had said: “There is a bit of dancing there, it’s actually quite good to be fair.”
But the Irishman did not hold back from criticising Tite during Qatar 2022 after the Brazil boss danced with players DURING matches.
Speaking after Brazil’s 4-1 win over Croatia in the last 16, Keane said: “I can’t believe what I’m watching. Obviously brilliant, brilliant by Brazil.
“Fantastic finish by Vinicius, great start to the game. But I’ve never seen so much dancing.
“It’s like watching Strictly. I can’t believe what I’m watching.”
“I don’t like this. People say it’s their culture. But I think that’s really disrespecting the opposition.
“It’s four goals, and they are doing it every time.
“I don’t mind so much the first jig, it’s the one after that, and the manager getting involved. I’m not happy about it. I don’t think it’s good at all.”
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As for Ten Hag’s dance moves, he received rough feedback from Arsenal fan Piers Morgan.
He said: “Can’t believe I’m watching a Man Utd manager and players dancing with joy after winning the Carabao Cup… so embarrassing.” More

ERIK TEN HAG put on his dancing shoes after claiming his first piece of silverware at Manchester United – but not everyone enjoyed it.The Red Devils are the 2023 Carabao Cup winners after beating Newcastle at Wembley this afternoon.
Erik ten Hag joined Lisandro Martinez and Antony for a boogie at WembleyCredit: Getty
Piers Morgan slammed the dancing as ’embarrassing’ but fans loved itCredit: Reuters
A Casemiro header and a Sven Botman own goal were enough to end the club’s six-year trophy drought.
And Ten Hag was spotted pulling off some moves with stars Antony and Lisandro Martinez afterwards as the celebrations got underway.
However, Talk TV host and Sun Sport columnist Piers Morgan, a long-time supporter of Arsenal, was not impressed with what he was watching.
Sharing the clip, he tweeted: “Can’t believe I’m watching a @ManUtd manager & players dancing with joy after winning the Carabao Cup … so embarrassing.”
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But United fans and even Roy Keane, who was embroiled in a spat with former Brazil boss Tite over his World Cup dancing antics, absolutely loved it.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the ex-United captain said: “The lads are having a bit of a dance there, my goodness.Not bad actually to be fair!”

However, he later jokingly told Ten Hag post-match: “You should resign after that, tonight!”
And the Dutchman replied: “I hope we can do it more often.”
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Supporters also took to Twitter to declare their love of the moves, with one fan tweeting: “Erik ten Hag dancing with Antony & Martinez. Iconic!”
Another wrote: “Ten Hag, Martínez and Antony dancing what we love to see.”
While a fellow viewer tweeted: “Ten Hag with the dancing moves. I just love this man.” More

ERIK TEN HAG branded Newcastle’s dark arts as “annoying” before Man United’s 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup final.Meanwhile, Toon defender Kieran Trippier claimed he “loves sh**housery” during games.
Did Newcastle get under Man Utd’s skin despite losing the Carabao Cup final?Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
But despite the result, did Newcastle get under United’s skin on Sunday?
SunSport’s Charlie Wyett looked at how Eddie Howe’s players behaved at Wembley…
9’
Bruno Guimaraes is the first player to charge towards referee David Coote after Allan Saint-Maximin is bundled to the ground by Diogo Dalot.
Within seconds, a further three players in black and white striped shirts are around the ref who then waves a yellow card at the United defender.
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12’
Bruno Fernandes tries to deliver a quickly-taken free-kick but Joelinton races towards the ball in a flash.
Fernandes is unable to take the free-kick and Coote has to tell Joelinton to retreat.
21’
United are awarded a free-kick in their own area and Joelinton throws the ball towards Sean Longstaff in completely the opposite direction.
33’
Guimaraes clatters into Marcus Rashford and five Newcastle players, led by Kieran Trippier, surround the ref. From Luke Shaw’s resulting free-kick, Casemiro scores.
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36’
Brazilian midfielder Guimaraes throws himself onto the floor in an attempt to win a penalty, claiming contact from Wout Weghorst but Coote is having none of it.
41’ 
Moments after the second goal, Trippier is in the face of Coote after he awards another United free-kick but the England defender is deliberately holding up play.
45+5’
Just seconds after winning a crunching tackle on Antony, midfielder Joelinton grabs Casemiro by the scruff of the neck and could have few complaints over a yellow card. Naturally, he still complains.
HALF TIME
Coote blows the whistle and four players, Sean Longstaff, Guimaraes, Trippier and Fabian Schar surround the official to all have a good whinge.
53’
Trippier sprints over to the linesman to give him a mouthful after Coote fails to award Newcastle a corner.
Trippier has a point, though, as the ball seems to come off Lisandro Martinez.
Newcastle were not afraid to ruffle United’s feathers during the gameCredit: Reuters
54’
Trippier and Miguel Almiron complain to Coote after he awards United a corner. The ref insists Fernandes’ shot had taken a deflection off a Toon player.
66’
Sven Botman throws the ball down in disgust after a decision goes against Newcastle and he gets a booking. Unsurprisingly, Trippier appears in the ref’s face within five seconds.
81’
Schar screams for a penalty after throwing himself onto the grass after a collision with Fernandes. Quite rightly, he gets nothing.
90’
Callum Wilson falls down easily to try and win a penalty much to the disgust of both Martinez and Raphael Varane who makes their feelings known.
95’
There is some aggro on the pitch as Newcastle’s frustrations boil over. Both Schar and Martinez are booked.
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FINAL WHISTLE
Trippier goes up to the officials and shakes all their hands. For the first time in the afternoon, he is not actually moaning.
VERDICT
It is no surprise that Newcastle’s players tried their best at being annoying but ultimately, United were deserved winners. More