Man United’s celebration photo shows Erik ten Hag’s detailed preparation for Carabao Cup final

Manchester United won the Carabao Cup after victory against Newcastle in the final on Sunday and Erik ten Hag was prepared for The Magpies’ biggest strength.

United were defensively strong, keeping another clean sheet as they ended their five and a half year trophy drought.

However, it was not always going to be easy defensively for a United side that beat Barcelona at Old Trafford just three days prior to their Wembley trip.

Eddie Howe’s side are known as one of the best teams in the country from attacking set-piece situations and it would’ve been a weapon that they looked at taking advantage of in the final.

However, Ten Hag and his coaching team were prepared for this threat and United kept the Geordies quiet from those situations all game.

A post-match celebration image of Anthony Martial alongside the medical staff shows the detail that the United staff went into ahead of the game in this respect.

The details of United’s preparation to defend set-pieces was shown in the background of the photo, with several set-piece scenarios detailed and how United should be set up for the different types of situations.

Eric Ramsay is the set-piece coach at the club and United have steadily improved in both offensive and defensive situations since he joined from Chelsea in 2021.

Victory at Wembley was an example of the defensive solidity that has been introduced at United but this is also an insight into the detail that goes in at the top level of the game.