League Cup Victory: Man United Now England’s Best Club
Manchester United’s hard fought 3-2 victory over Southampton in Sunday’s League Cup final at the famous Wembley stadium has seen the Old Trafford Landlords emerging as the most successful club in English football history.
In winning their 42nd major trophy, the Red Devils stepped over and above Liverpool FC, their most competitive challengers in the major trophy and silverware rankings in England
35-year old Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck twice at Wembley, either side of a Jesse Lingard’s goal, to deliver the Red Devils their fifth League Cup trophy since inception. With Manolo Gabbiadini’s double strike evening out things for Southampton after United had moved into a two goals lead before half time, Ibrahimovic scored with three minutes remaining to give the Jose Mourinho’s side a thrilling 3-2 victory.
Still counting, the silverware won by United so far total 42 major trophies, one more than arch-rivals Liverpool, who have won 18 top-flight titles, seven FA Cups, eight League Cups, five European cups and three UEFA Cups.
With the victory, Mourinho becomes the first United manager to harvest a major trophy in his first season and equaled Sir Alex Ferguson’s record of four League Cup trophies. Here is United’s trophy cabinet and honours list to date:
Premier League – 13 (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013);
First Division Championship – 7 (1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967);
FA Cup – 11 (1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004);
Football League Cup – 4 (1992, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2017);
FA Charity/Community Shield – 20 (*joint holders): (1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965*, 1967*, 1977*, 1983, 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013);
European Cup – 1 (1968);
UEFA Champions League – 2 (1999, 2008);
FIFA Club World Cup – 1 (2008);
UEFA Super Cup – 1 (1991);
European Cup Winners’ Cup – 1 (1991); and
Intercontinental Cup – 1 (1999)
