Manchester United’s 2017 Carabao Cup final team: Where are they now?

On 26 February 2017, Jose Mourinho won what was to be his first of three competitive trophies while at Manchester United, in the 2017 Carabao Cup final against Southampton.

It was an incredible fixture, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring a fantastic free-kick to open the scoring in the 19th minute, with Jesse Lingard adding a second for Manchester United just before 40 minutes had chimed on the clock in the Carabao Cup final.

With a 2-0 lead seemingly firm, Manolo Gabbiadini grabbed a goal back for Southampton just before half-time and then equalled the score in minute 48 to set up a brilliant second half.

Gabbiadini also scored a third for Southampton that was wrongly ruled out for offside; a goal which was subsequently used as a perfect example as to why VAR should be introduced into the English football game.

The score stayed level until Ibrahimovic, United’s talisman during the 2016/17 season, nodded in an Ander Herrera cross to send Manchester United fans into pandemonium and claim victory in the 87th minute.

That fixture, believe it or not, was six years ago – and Manchester United will once again embark on a Carabao Cup final adventure on 26 February, this time under the guise of Erik ten Hag – but for the 11 players who started for the Red Devils in the 2017 Carabao Cup final, where are they now?

Goalkeeper – David de Gea

David de Gea, as everyone knows, is still at Manchester United – and is a vital part of the side Erik ten Hag has built this season. He has started in 95% of the fixtures this season and has been a strong leader both on the field and in the dressing room. He is the only player from the 2017 line-up that is expected to start on Sunday.

Right-back – Antonio Valencia

Antonio Valencia, former Manchester United captain, retired from professional football back in May of 2021. He left Manchester United after playing for the club for 10 years, making 325 Premier League appearances. After leaving United on a free transfer in June 2019, he signed for LDU Quito in his come country of Ecuador.

Centre-back – Eric Bailly

Eric Bailly, technically, is still a Manchester United player – but is currently on a one-year loan with French side Marseille. Although a fan favourite and a significant part of Jose Mourinho’s time at the club, it is unlikely that fans will see Eric Bailly play for United again, as his move to Marseille could become permanent if he starts more than 50% of games for the French outfit this season.

Centre-back – Chris Smalling (C)

Chris Smalling, sometimes known as Mike Smalling by Louis van Gaal or ‘Smalldini’ by a selection of the United fanbase, was their captain in the 2017 Carabao Cup final as Wayne Rooney did not start. He now plies his trade at Italian side AS Roma, reunited with Mourinho.

Left-back – Marcos Rojo

Marcos Rojo, the ferocious Argentine defender, started in an unorthodox left-back role for the match – and now plays as a central defender for Argentinian side Boca Juniors. He initially left United in January 2020, being loaned to his boyhood club Estudiantes, before securing a permanent move to Boca in February 2021.

Midfielder – Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba was no doubt one of the most divisive players of the last decade at Manchester United. Possessed with almost unmatched ability, he suffered from many injuries during his career as a Red Devil, but also provided fans with some of the club’s most iconic moments in recent times, too. He now plays for the Italian club Juventus after securing a free transfer in the summer of 2022.

Midfielder – Ander Herrera

There is little doubt that Ander Herrera was one of the most loved players among United fans during this period of time. A tenacious Spanish midfielder, he could play almost any role asked of him and provided Ibrahimovic with the assist to his now-famous winning goal.

Herrera left United in 2019 after contract talks failed to come to a compromise, and left for PSG for free. He most recently returned to his former club Athletic Bilbao, signing on a season-long loan in August 2022 that was made permanent in January 2023.

Right-winger – Jesse Lingard

Jesse Lingard, one of the scorers for United in this final, departed the club after his contract expired in 2022 alongside Paul Pogba. Much controversy was made of his exit from United, but after spending 20 years at the club, he will go down as one of its most loyal servants. He currently plays for Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

Attacking midfielder – Juan Mata

Juan Mata, after signing for the Red Devils for an at-the-time British record transfer fee of £37.1 million, played for the club for six and a half years. He was released from his contract at the end of last season, signing for Turkish side Galatasaray on a one-year contract.

Left-winger – Anthony Martial

Much like De Gea, Anthony Martial is still at Manchester United, although he is not expected to start in the final. He has fallen out of favour this season due to a series of injuries, and Ten Hag recently confirmed that he does not expect him to be available for the 2023 final.

Striker – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now 41 years of age, is still going strong among Europe’s biggest clubs. Currently playing as a striker for AC Milan, Ibrahimovic has continued to defy critics for over a decade now. He scored 29 goals during the 2016/17 season for Manchester United under Jose Mourinho and left in March 2018 when United confirmed that his contract had been terminated so that he could sign for the American club LA Galaxy.

Substitutes

Jose Moutinho that day also made three substitutes: Michael Carrick, Marcus Rashford, and Marouane Fellaini. Carrick has since retired and is doing wonders as a manager at Middlesborough. Fellaini currently plays as a midfielder for the Chinese club Shandong Taishan.

Not much needs to be said about Marcus Rashford, considering that he is currently operating as Manchester United’s top scorer this season, blowing the football world away with incredible performances – and barring injury, might play a vital role in United winning their first domestic trophy in six years.