Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gave another masterclass in winning press conference

The last time a Manchester United manager brought a trophy into the Wembley press conference room, it was the end for Louis van Gaal. For Erik ten Hag, it is just the start.

Ten Hag placed the League Cup front and centre on the table in a vast room with 180 seats that resembles a lecture theatre. When the press conference ended, Ten Hag forgot the cup until alerted by journalists.

“I can leave it because the next one," he chortled. "This one is in.” Onto the next one.

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Ben Foster was startled that it was business as usual at United the day after they lifted the League Cup in 2009. Foster had parried Jamie O'Hara's penalty in the shootout and was named the man of the match in only his seventh appearance for the club.

He was the only United representative at Wembley that day who expected an open-top bus parade. It was United's second triumph of the campaign after the Club World Cup, they were at the summit of the Premier League and about to advance in the FA Cup and Champions League.

A new attraction in the Old Trafford museum and an eight-point cushion in the Champions League qualifying places effectively ensure this is all but certain to be a successful season. Only Ten Hag is not satisfied.

The United squad arrived back in Manchester at 11.20pm on Sunday night. The starters will have recovery sessions today, there will be training at lunchtime on Tuesday and then it is West Ham at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday night.

"This has to be the inspiration," Ten Hag explained. "This has to be the motivation to continue in this pathway and improve and don't be happy.

"Okay, be happy for 24 hours but not be satisfied because satisfaction leads to