Manchester United Are EFL Champions
Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired Manchester United to a 3-2 win over Southampton to secure the English League Cup trophy at Wembley Stadium, on Sunday evening.
The victory also sees United manager, Jose Mourinho claim his first trophy at Old Trafford since joining the Red Devils in the summer of 2016.
Ibrahimovic scored twice and Jesse Lingard got the other for Jose Mourinho’s side, while Italy international Manolo Gabbiadini scored a brace for the Saints, who were the better side in the game.
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Southampton had the ball in the net after 11 minutes, but the goal was controversially judged offside by the linesman, with replay suggesting otherwise.
United opened the scoring 8 minutes later, through a superbly curled free-kick by Ibrahimovic after Oriel Romeu chopped Ander Herrera to the ground around 30 yards from goal.
Jesse Lingard’s measured finish seven minutes before the break gave the Red Devils a two-goal cushion but Gabbiadini pulled one back for Southampton at the stroke of half-time. Cedric crossed from the right and Italian was on hand to slot home from close range.
The former Napoli striker was on the score-sheet again few minutes after the break, as he hit a superb snap shot on the turn to take the whole United defence by surprise.
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Saints piled up the pressure on United, with Oriel Romeu hitting the woodwork, but were left heartbroken three minutes from time as Ibrahimovic met Ander Herrera’s cross to secure the vital win for Jose Mourinho’s side.
The Portuguese is now level with Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough as the most successful manager in the League Cup after his fourth triumph.
