By Dylan Bettencourt
The Carabao Cup has always been seen, according to José Mourinho, as a “Mickey Mouse” trophy — until now.
Commonly known as the League Cup, the trophy is perhaps the least impressive accolade on offer during the season.
Manchester City have dominated the competition in recent years but were knocked out by Southampton this year.
Now the red side of Manchester get the chance to put a stamp on their rebuilding process when they face Newcastle United in the final on 26 February.
Newcastle are another side looking at the cup to begin their rebuilding process with a bang.
It is no secret that Manchester United have fallen off the radar since the glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson. But they now seem to be in steady hands with Erik ten Hag.
Winning a trophy in his first season will add to the love the fans already have for him. United last won a trophy in 2017, when they claimed both the Carabao Cup and the Uefa Europa League crowns.
Six years without a trophy is alien to the entire city of Manchester, let alone Man United.
But with Ten Hag in charge there is an increased optimism that winning the League Cup is a launch pad to greater success.
For Newcastle, however, their last major trophy was a long, long time ago — in 1955, to be precise!
But now the Magpies have Saudi Arabian owners who are willing to splash the cash for success on the field.
Newcastle are in their first season under their new ownership. Despite not spending a crazy amount of money, they find themselves in this cup final and in third place on the Premier League log.
Winning the Carabao Cup for Newcastle against United could be the stamp they need to prove they will soon become one of the English powerhouses.
The Carabao Cup is often seen as being here today and gone tomorrow. But this year it has the potential to become the start of something special.
Pictured above: Manchester United taking on Newcastle United
Image source: @Aadozo
