Sometimes, to appreciate where you are, it’s good to remember where you’ve been. And just over six months ago, Erik Ten Hag had debuted with consecutive Premier League defeats (2-1 at home to Brighton and 4-0 away to Brentford). Cristiano Ronaldo was still around, angry supporters were showing up outside new chief executive Richard Arnold’s house and there was a sense that things could easily slip from bad to abject.<\/p>\n
Many, including yours truly, questioned how Ten Hag’s brand of football was going to be effective with this group of players (starting with Ronaldo). And the club’s insistence on signing players who, other than Casemiro, all seemed to be either Eredivisie alumni did not bode well. But here we are.<\/p>\n
The League Cup is what it is, but psychologically it matters because it’s the first piece of silverware the club have won since 2017, snapping the longest trophy drought at Old Trafford since the early 1980s. And no, it’s not a bauble won in isolation. United are third in the Premier League, and they just knocked LaLiga leaders Barcelona out of in the Europa League.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Erik ten Hag\u2019s record in finals for Manchester United:<\/p>\n 2022\/23 Carabao Cup Final – Winners 🏆<\/p>\n \u201cEras come to an end\u201d. 🔴 pic.twitter.com\/E2zUmXVdfF<\/a><\/p>\n — Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 26, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n