JONATHAN SHALLARD REPORTING —- Manchester United ended a six-year trophy drought by carrying off the League Cup with first-half goals – a Casemiro header and Sven Botman own goal – for a 2-0 defeat of Newcastle under the watchful eye of co-chairman Avram Glazer.

He and his family will be delighted to have seen the value of Manchester United creep upward just as they are preparing a sales auction to the highest bidder. Whatever happens in the rest of the season at least the Glazers can end their controversial two-decade ownership on a triumphant note.

Newcastle must wait, probably only a little longer, to win their first major trophy since their 1969 triumph in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, forerunner of the Europa League.

No fairytale comeback, then, for Loris Karius. At least he could not be blamed this time, as he was after Liverpool’s Champions League defeat in 2018.

United kicked off under the shadow of a quadruple. Their improved form since the World Cup had lifted them to third in the Premier League, they are home to West Ham in the FA Cup on Wednesday and have just beaten Barcelona in the Europa League playoffs.

Major credit had been due to Real Madrid ‘old boys’ Raphael Varane in central defence and Casemiro in midfield. Both were fit to play at Wembley as was 24-goal top scorer Marcus Rashford who had been doubtful. Wout Weghorst kept his place in the centre of attack with Jadon Sancho, despite his recent fine form, among the substitutes.

Newcastle were appearing in their first domestic final since 1999 when they lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup. One concern for manager Eddie Howe was that his team were coming into the final in disappointing form. Their last league win had been against Fulham back in mid-January and they were without goalkeeper Nick Pope after his red card against Liverpool.

Loris Karius was thus confirmed in goal for the 29-year-old’s first competitive game since Union Berlin’s 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim on February 28, 2021.

Karius was given noisy encouragement by Newcastle fans and gained early confidence from successfully fielding two simple early saves from Weghorst and Antony. The Brazilian was also one of the early casualties, along with Bruno Guimaraes, in a scrappy duel for control.

Newcastle had started more positively and, just when United appeared to be regaining territory, created the best early chance in the 31st minute. Sean Longstaff crossed low from the right but David de Gea’s outstretched hand foiled Allan Saint-Maximin’s angled shot.

De Gea’s save proved doubly significant two minutes later as United took the lead. Luke Shaw curled in one of his trademark dangerous free kicks to the edge of the goal area and Casemiro rose to head home.

Karius had no chance then and he had no chance two minutes later when United doubled their lead. Newcastle were caught upfield in pursuit of an equaliser as United broke forward. Weghorst justified his selection by providing Rashford with the shooting chance and the ball deflected beyond Karius off the foot of Botman.

Karius saved from Weghorst both before and after halftime, important stops because at three goals down the game would have been all over for Newcastle.

Howe sought to recover lost ground by sending on Alexander Isak for Longstaff and later Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy. But for all their possession they offered few serious challenges to De Gea.

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