Manchester United yesterday evening finally laid hands on their first piece of elusive silverware since 2017 with a well-deserved victory over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
More significantly, it is no less an omen that foreshadows more glad tidings and renewed glory for the trophy-starved Old Trafford club now that their new savior Erik Ten Hag has convincingly conjured up the first miracle.
For now, Newcastle’s own inglorious wait for silverware since 1969 would have to be put off indefinitely after two goals by the Red Devils inside six minutes in the first half duly sunk all aspirations they had as the latter established their superiority – at least for this match – and sent them deservedly on their way to that crucial first success under manager the Dutchman, who had been the most-timely paragon of inspiration for all and sundry at Old Trafford since he took over the reins from his predecessor Ralf Rangnick.
Unsurprisingly it was none other than the formidable and highly-experienced Casemiro who broke the deadlock after 33 minutes when he unerringly headed home Luke Shaw’s free-kick.
The Red Devils then doubled their advantage when Marcus Rashford’s shot was deflected by Sven Botman beyond the reach of Newcastle’s keeper Loris Karius, who was standing in for the suspended Nick Pope.
It was clearly not Newcastle’s day despite their all-out attempts to stay the execution in the second half, but the goals were just not forthcoming this time for Eddie Howe’s valiant men.
The victory meant Manchester United were finally back in the honors list after having last tasted success six years ago when lifting both the Europa League and the Carabao trophies under the irrepressible Portuguese icon, Jose Mourinho.
Hopefully for Manchester United this marks the renaissance of a new era with the Dutchman’s strong leadership and tactical acumen leading them out of the wilderness that they had strayed into and effectively transforming them into constant winners again – as in their glorious past under Sir Alex Ferguson.