Ibrahimovic bags brace as Man United lift EFL Cup

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the opener and the winner for Manchester United as they claimed their first silverware of the season after edging Southampton 3-2 in the English Football League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday night.

The 35-year-old Swede as he took his tally to 26 goals this season, as Southampton, who were the better side for most of the final, were left heartbroken by Zlatan’s 87th minute winner.

“This is a team effort. This is what I came for – to win, and I am winning. The more I win the more satisfied I get,” Ibrahimovic told reporters after the game.

Jesse Lingard got United’s second goal some minutes before half time, while Manolo Gabbiadini scored Southampton’s two goals before the whistle went out for the first half and three minutes into the second half.

Read Also: Kane shines as Spurs thump Stoke 4-0 to go second

Jose Mourinho becomes the first United manager to win a trophy in his first season at the club, as he joins legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough in winning the League Cup four times.

“Winning is always special. The day I don’t get emotional when I win is the day to go home,” the Portuguese coach said after lifting the trophy.

“Now we have one month in the Premier League and Rostov in the Europa League and Chelsea in the FA Cup and we have so much to play for.”

However, runners-up Southampton can be proud of one of the finest performances in defeat the modern Wembley has seen – but that will be no consolation to Puel’s devastated players.

“Congratulations to Manchester United. They were too clinical. But we proved we can play very well with many chances and opportunities,” Southampton boss Claude Puel said after the match.

“We came back with quality. Perhaps we deserve better. It’s football and congratulations to Manchester and their players.”

The win was United’s fifth League Cup trophy after winning in 1992, 2006, 2009 and 2010.

 

 

 

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