Erik ten Hag advises against ‘laziness’ after Manchester United defeated Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has cautioned his players not to become “lazy” and to seek for additional titles after ending a six-year trophy drought with a League Cup final victory over Newcastle United on Sunday.
A Casemiro header and a Sven Botman own goal clinched United’s 2-0 success at Wembley, their first trophy since Ten Hag took charge at Old Trafford at the start of the season.
United are still in contention for three more trophies – they are third in the Premier League, as well as the FA Cup and Europa League – and the Dutchman believes winning the Carabao Cup is an indication that the club is on the right track.
“It shows something, silverware, that you are on a good pathway, you are in a good direction,” said Ten Hag, who brought the trophy to his post-match press conference and almost forgot to take it with him afterwards.
“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.
“OK, 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.”
That is the club’s first trophy since winning the Europa League in 2017, and if their manager has anything to do with it, it will not be the last.
“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.”
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe had a gloomy afternoon as his team failed to take their chances and were punished for their defensive frailties.
He argues, though, that the pain will fuel the Magpies’ future desire to end their 54-year wait for actual triumph.
“That leaves us with a feeling of loss in a final, which is never great, and we’re tremendously disappointed,” Howe added.
“The supporters, who have been absolutely incredible for us this year, to see them disappointed at the end hurts, hurts badly, and the motivation and the thoughts are already going to how we can come back here and win them the trophy that they deserve.”
