Manchester United vs Newcastle player ratings: Casemiro a class above; Almiron has stage fright
Manchester United won the first of what many assume will be several trophies under Erik ten Hag thanks to a 2-0 win over Newcastle United at Wembley.
A Casemiro header and a deflected Marcus Rashford strike were enough to secure the Old Trafford club's first bit of silverware for six years and left Eddie Howe's team still searching for their first domestic trophy since 1955.
Who shone and who had a game to forget as the first title of the season was handed out?
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
David de Gea
The Spaniard has been in fine form of late and made a crucial stop to deny Allan Saint-Maximin moments before United scored their first. An important moment in the game. 7/10
Diogo Dalot
No surprise to see the Portugal right back withdrawn at half-time. On a booking and with Saint-Maximin having the beating of him, keeping him on was a risk Ten Hag did not need to take. 5
Raphael Varane
A season of understated brilliance continued here. Exudes calm and authority and is revelling playing alongside Lisandro Martinez. It has become quite the partnership. 8
Lisandro Martinez
United have two World Cup winners anchoring central defence and it shows. A rock solid showing from Ten Hag’s no-nonsense Argentine. 8
Luke Shaw
There have been few better full-backs in the world this season. His delivery from dead ball situations has improved enormously over the past few seasons and his free-kick for Casemiro to head United in front was a peach. 8
Casemiro
The man for the big occasion. Scored the first and his concentration never wavered. The Brazilian has been critical to United’s resurgence since his summer move from Real Madrid. 8
Fred
The Brazilian looks far happier when playing alongside his compatriot and did the ugly stuff well and with the minimum of fuss. 6
Antony
The Brazil winger produced one of his best performances in a United shirt three days earlier against Barcelona but did not get close to repeating that here. Disappointing. 5
Bruno Fernandes
Denied the chance of a goal late on by Loris Karius. Offered United an outlet on the break but this was a day that required more running than cunning from the de facto captain. 7
Marcus Rashford
Fairly quiet by the very high standards he has set but still scored United’s second goal with his shot deflecting in off Sven Botman and remained a danger on the break. 7
Wout Weghorst
Chosen to start over Jadon Sancho and justified his selection. Teed up Rashford for the first and drew a fine save from Karius. Worked very hard.7
Substitutes
Wan-Bissaka for Dalot ht. 8
Sabitzer for Fred 69. 7
McTominay for Weghorst 70. 6
Sancho for Antony 83. 6
Maguire for Rashford 88. 6
Newcastle United
Loris Karius
A goalkeeper, playing regularly, might have come to punch away the free kick that Casemiro headed in but Rashford’s goal took a horrible deflection. Made three really good saves after that .7
Kieran Trippier
He had an uncomfortable evening against his England team-mate Rashford who won the free kick that led to Manchester United’s first goal. Tried to rally the troops in the second half but this was not his best game. 6
Fabian Schar
Might have scored in the first half with a header and was beaten in the air by Casemiro to put Manchester United in the lead. Did not do much wrong after that but Newcastle were defeated because they lost the big moments. 6
Sven Botman
He is going to be one of the best centre backs in Europe. It has been a fantastic first season for the Dutchman and he was the pick of the Newcastle defence once again. 7
Dan Burn
Was left isolated far too often against Antony but never gave up and stuck to his task with the relish you would expect of a fan playing for his boyhood club. If Newcastle are going to progress they probably need a left back who offers more going forward though. 6
Sean Longstaff
A hard game for the local boy from the Academy who just could not get involved enough in the midfield battle. Evening ended early as he was withdrawn at half time so Newcastle could send another striker on. 6
Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle look a better team with him in the centre of midfield and he showed flashes of his quality throughout. If they are going to challenge for trophies consistently they need to put better players around him. 7
Joelinton
Ran himself into the ground and gave Newcastle their physical presence in midfield, dumping his compatriot Antony on his backside after some showboating. Denied a goal in the second half by some desperate defending too. 7
Miguel Almiron
Another infuriating performance from Newcastle’s hero before Christmas. Should have played in Saint-Maximin early on and missed a decent chance of his own before half time. Has returned to normal after that pre-Christmas hot streak. 5
Callum Wilson
Worked hard but could not get on the end of anything in and around the box and there is a suspicion he has not been fully fit since returning from the World Cup as he cannot train at full pelt at the moment. 6
Allan Saint-Maximin
He will drive you mad one moment and have you roaring encouragement the next. A classic case of you do not know what you are going to get, but was only denied the first goal by an excellent save and caused both Dalot and Wan-Bissaka problems. 7
Substitutes
Isak for Longstaff (46) Looked bright and sharp playing just behind Callum Wilson which will give Howe food for thought. 7
Murphy for Saint-Maximin 78.
Willock for Bruno 79.
Anderson for Wilson 90.
Ritchie for Almiron 90.
