Manchester United beat Southampton to lift League Cup

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s double -dashed Saints hopes of winning the coveted award in Wembley thriller on Sunday.

The match was a replica of the 1976 FA Cup finale where Southampton last won a silverware. United had won this trophy seven years ago after beating Aston Villa 2-1, thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.

19th-minute blistering free kick from the Swedish forward Ibrahimovic put the Red Devils in command.

Excellent interplay by Anthony Martial and Juan Mata provided the ball to Marcus Rojo who then teed up to Jesse Lingard who slotted into the right-hand corner, doubling United’s lead in the 38th minute.

Manolo Gabiaddini pulled one back few seconds to the break, thanks to James Ward-Prowse cross before the Italian talisman tapped in past David de Gea.

Gabiaddini netted his double finishing a brilliant Steven Davis’s volley into the bottom right corner three minutes into the second half. It was Gabbiadini’s fifth goal in three appearances since his move from Napoli in January.

Saints came close moments later to take the lead but Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond shots hit woodwork on several occasions.

Just three minutes to stoppage time, 35-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic made it 3-2 for United with cracking header after Ander Herrera provided a sumptuous cross into the edge of the box. This was his 26th goal for the club in all competitions.

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has joined Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough of Nottingham Forest as the only managers to win the League Cup four times. The 54-year-old Portuguese made history as the first United manager to win a top prize in his maiden season.

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