When the referee blew for full-time at Wembley last month, Diogo Dalot sprung from the bench to embrace Erik ten Hag. Dalot, who had been anticipating the whistle, was the first to react and he caught Ten Hag by surprise.
The Dutchman grabbed his face with two hands to celebrate and Dalot eventually sprinted away to revel in the moment with his teammates.
The pair have a strong relationship, but the right-back only had that much energy remaining for his enthusiastic celebration because he'd been substituted for Aaron Wan-Bissaka at half-time in a tactical change that was necessary to make. ALSO READ: Manchester United have four underperforming players this season Manchester United were two goals ahead of Newcastle at half-time in the Carabao Cup final, which essentially killed the contest, but attacking down Dalot's side had given the North East side plenty of encouragement before they conceded.
The tricky Allan Saint-Maximin has the talent to cause problems for some of the world's best defenders when at his best and the Wembley occasion had clearly lit a fire inside him, as he looked sharp, dangerous and unpredictable.