Manchester United celebrate their 2-0 win at Wembley (Picture: AP)
Bruno Fernandes believes yesterday’s Carabao Cup triumph can be the start of a new golden era for Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.
Casemiro’s header and an own goal from Sven Botman saw United lift their first trophy since the 2017 Europa League when they beat Newcastle 2-0.
‘We have been searching for this moment – us, the fans and the club,’ said Fernandes, who started yesterday’s game at Wembley as captain.
‘We are all together and finally we get our trophy, I think deservedly.’
United have won eight and drawn two of their last ten games in all competitions and Fernandes added: ‘It has been an amazing period but we want and need more.
‘It is not enough for this club. I am satisfied because now I get my trophy. But I want more and we want more.’
(L to R) Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Erik ten Hag, and Casemiro (Picture: Sportimage)
Newcastle’s own drought without silverware dates back to 1969 but they nearly went ahead just after the half hour when David de Gea made a fine save to deny Allan Saint-Maximin.
However, Ten Hag’s in-form side were soon in front when Casemiro powered home a header from Luke Shaw’s free- kick, the goal given after a VAR check for offside.
Six minutes later the Magpies had a mountain to climb after Marcus Rashford’s shot deflected off Botman and beyond goalkeeper Loris Karius’ reach.
Newcastle had some openings in the second half, although Fernandes was denied by Karius late on when he looked certain to make it 3-0.
Ten Hag and former Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (Picture: Getty)
United defender Shaw recognised the importance of lifting a trophy but was immediately thinking ahead to Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against West Ham at Old Trafford.
‘We talked before about how we want to create our own history here with the new team and manager. Today was the start of it,’ Shaw said.
‘We’re still in all of the competitions and getting a taste of this. Now we want more so our full focus has to go on the game on Wednesday because we want to stay in that competition and win that too.’
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Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson greeted Ten Hag in the tunnel after the game and the Dutchman has every intention of adding to his first silverware at Old Trafford.
‘First you have to win the first one and that is what I think we did today,’ he said. ‘You get a lot of inspiration out of this but also more confidence that we can do it.
‘We’re still at the start of restoring Manchester United to where they belong and that is to winning trophies. This is the first one.’
MORE : Sir Alex Ferguson congratulates Erik ten Hag on ending Manchester United’s trophy drought
‘We want more.’
