So it will be Manchester United versus Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley three weeks on Sunday, as if that scenario was ever in any serious doubt last night. A proper final between two clubs for whom lifting this trophy really would mean something.
Newcastle fans don’t need reminding that their club haven’t won a major domestic trophy in 68 years. For Manchester United, the drought is only six years, but that still feels like far too long for a club of this size.
A trophy is not only long overdue for United but also hugely important in terms of validating the progress Erik ten Hag has made since he took over at Old Trafford in the summer. This will be Ten Hag’s first final as United manager but not, you suspect, the last.
The Carabao Cup is by no means his only shot at success this season, of course, with United still in contention for the FA Cup, Europa League and having the slenderest of chances in the Premier League.
But it clearly represents his best shot after United completed the formalities of beating Nottingham Forest in a semi-final which was effectively decided last week when they won 3-0 at the City Ground.
Two goals in four minutes from Anthony Martial and Fred did the job last night as United celebrated a 12th win in a row at Old Trafford in all competitions.
Martial scored on his return after a four-game absence but it was Jadon Sancho’s comeback that gave Ten Hag most satisfaction. The England winger had been out of action for 102 days, and he received a rousing reception from the Old Trafford crowd.
‘That will give him even more of a push to continue in the way he is now acting,’ said Ten Hag. ‘It’s important that players enjoy their football because that gives them energy and motivation.
‘He’s been back at Carrington for two weeks. Hopefully he can keep that smile because when he is performing he’s a really important player for us.’
On going through to his first final in English football, the United boss added: ‘Of course we are looking forward to it. We get to go to Wembley and it’s Newcastle Untied who are great team. But it’s not about reaching the final, it’s about winning the final.’
For Forest, on the other hand, they can now focus on Premier League survival – starting with Sunday’s crucial game at home to Leeds – after signing Felipe, Keylor Navas and Jonjo Shelvey on deadline day.
None of them were eligible for this tie and manager Steve Cooper also lost Jesse Lingard before kick-off when the former United man suffered an Achilles injury in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Emmanuel Dennis.
Forest gave it a good go but their hopes of a unlikely turnaround disappeared with two missed chances by Brennan Johnson and Dennis before half-time.
‘If you take one, and you definitely take two, then maybe it becomes a different story,’ said Cooper, who refused to comment on an incident in the second half when Johnson seemed to react angrily to something said by Alejandro Garnacho.
‘The damage was done last week. We couldn’t say that before the game and we wouldn’t because you have to try and give yourself the best chance of trying to achieve something.’
United grew stronger in the second half and scored twice after a triple substitution just after the hour mark brought Martial, Sancho and Marcus Rashford into the game.
Martial struck in the 73rd minute after Willy Boly gave the ball away needlessly to Casemiro close to halfway. The Brazilian played in Martial and he teed up Rashford. Scott McKenna recovered in time to make a great challenge and block Rashford’s effort, but the ball ran loose for Martial to tuck home.
Forest’s spirit was finally broken and Fred got a second goal just three minutes later when he started the move on the left, playing the ball to Martial who fed Sancho.
He sprayed it to the right for Fernandes who produced a wonderful cross with the outside of his right foot. It picked out Rashford at the far post, and he touched the ball back for Fred to bundle it into an empty net.
‘It’s very special,’ said defender Luke Shaw. ‘It’s a big moment for us in where we want to go. We want to get this club back to where it should be which is winning trophies.’
United’s best opportunity in the first half came from Wout Weghorst who headed against the post from Casemiro’s cross. Antony fired narrowly over from 20 yards and Garnacho had a penalty appeal turned down following a challenge from Neco Williams.
Forest only really opened up United on two occasions, but both were clear chances. In the 34th minute, Johnson sprinted in from the right and burst between Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro, but his side-footed effort was aimed straight at Tom Heaton who stood his ground.
Then two minutes before half-time, Johnson caused more problems for United as he left Casemiro on his back and crossed for Dennis who had the whole goal to aim at but somehow fired straight into his own teammate Sam Surridge standing on the edge of the six-yard box.
United appealed unsuccessfully for another penalty after half-time when Weghorst nicked the ball off McKenna’s toe and claimed he had been caught by the defender’s follow through.
VAR got involved then and again following the spat between Johnson and Garnacho. Ten Hag swiftly removed the young Argentine in case it escalated and it was probably a wise move, not least because the substitutes changed the game.
Forest already knew their fate and the goals from Martial and Fred merely confirmed it.
So Ten Hag is on his way to Wembley where Newcastle await. It should be a belter.
SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk
