EFL Cup Delight For Carrick

Michael Carrick was bursting with delight and praised match winner Zlatan Ibrahimovic after Manchester United edged past Southampton in a sensational EFL Cup final at Wembley.

The Reds came out on top in a five-goal thriller to secure a fifth League Cup triumph as Ibrahimovic headed home an 87th-minute winner at the national stadium.

And, although Carrick admitted his team could have played better on the day, he was pleased to be on the winning side in a fantastic game and hopes to build on the success, with United still in the hunt to win the Europa League and retain the FA Cup.

The midfielder, who came on as a substitute for Juan Mata at half-time, said after the 3-2 win: “It's a good job [we won] really because we weren’t at our best. They had chances, we had chances, and it was a terrific final.

“I think sometimes finals can be quite difficult in the fact that both teams cancel each other out, but plenty of chances and plenty of goals, both teams went for it and we are delighted to come away for the win.

“That’s all that matters in finals and we’re just so happy to get this trophy and hopefully this will kick us on for the rest of the season.”

Top scorer Ibrahimovic took his tally to 26 goals in all competitions this season with a first-half free-kick to break the deadlock before Jesse Lingard doubled the lead but, after Manolo Gabbiadini’s double drew the Saints level, the no.9 popped up with the decisive headed goal to seal the trophy for the Reds late on.

When asked about the Swedish striker’s irrepressible debut campaign at the club, Carrick said: “Zlatan is incredible. People keep asking questions of him but to play as many games as he has is, to start with, is some achievement, and then he's scored big goals with it, important goals. There’s been no bigger goal than his second one today and he’s won us the cup.”

Ibrahimovic’s late contribution brought more Wembley glory for United after last May’s FA Cup success and the Community Shield win at the start of 2016/17. It’s an achievement that Carrick believes is a significant one for the squad.

“It’s hard to explain how big it is but I think the FA Cup was big last year for this group of players, to get that winning feeling and we carried it on into the Community Shield," said the 35-year-old.

"Today was another big one for us. We knew that, going into the game, and we really sensed it so to achieve that success is great. Now we can look forward again."