Manager Erik ten Hag isn’t letting his players rest on their laurels after ending Manchester United’s six-year trophy drought.
Sunday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final is United’s first silverware since the 2017 Europa League.
Erik ten Hag warned his players not to get complacent if they want to build on their win. The Dutchman is onto something at Old Trafford, and his first trophy is tangible proof of that.
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The League Cup in particular could be significant. It occupies a contradictory space in the English football ecosystem. It’s the least glamorous competition – the mickey mouse cup, but winning it is a hallmark of ruthless champions.
The boost of winning a trophy in February is statistically evident, and it’s been a jumping point for many successful teams. However as ten Hag pointed out after the final, only if the team continues to work hard.
“It does, it shows something, silverware, that you are on a good pathway, you are in a good direction,” he said.
“It is one cup and it is February, but it shows we are in the right direction. This has to be the inspiration, it has to be the motivation to keep going, to continue on this pathway and to improve.”
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“Okay, be happy for 24 hours but not satisfied because satisfaction, that leads to laziness and when you become lazy, you don’t win any more games and you can’t win trophies.
“We are not only hoping, but to know that it is worth to invest, to know that it’s worth to suffer and to sacrifice and to know you have to give every day your best to celebrate.
“It’s all about that, it’s about glory and honour and if you want to prove something, if you want to win something, you have to do it otherwise you don’t get it because no-one is bringing something in top football.”
