Erik ten Hag delights in ending Manchester United trophy drought

Erik ten Hag danced in delight after Manchester United ended a six-year trophy drought by beating Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley to claim the Carabao Cup and admitted it had been a risk to take over last summer but that his “love” for the club drove him to become the manager.

A Casemiro header and Sven Botman’s own goal, both in the first half, ensured United bridged the gap to the 2017 Europa League triumph and gave Ten Hag the first silverware of his tenure. Amid jubilant scenes at the final whistle, the manager jigged with Antony and Lisandro Martínez, having done the same when the former Ajax coach won trophies with the same players at the Dutch club.

Ten Hag has quickly overseen a reversal in United’s fortunes after they finished sixth last season. He was asked if it was a gamble to become the manager. “Maybe it was a risk but I am stubborn and I just love United so when I see our shirts, the bond with the fans, when I see Old Trafford, the legacy like Sir Alex [Ferguson] left, and how so many big players were developed in a United shirt and we want to do the same,” he said.

“This team wants to make its own history and when this opportunity came I thought it was the right club for me and that I want to be a part of it.”

The Dutchman wants winning to become like a drug to his players. “Of course, we are not only hoping [that this proves to be so] but know that we have to work to invest and suffer and sacrifice and know you have to give every day your best to do so,” he said. “It is about glory and honour and if you want to prove something and win something you have to do it because no one is bringing something to you in top football.

“You have to win the first [trophy] and that is what we did today. You can take