It was always going to end this way.
Manchester United’s season could well be very different without Zlatan Ibrahimović.
The Swedish striker has been the star man time and time again since arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, so it was only fitting that he was the man to earn José Mourinho his first trophy since taking over at Manchester United.
Ibrahimović scored United’s first, before a first-half finish from Jesse Lingard and a Manolo Gabbiadini double for Southampton left the EFL Cup Final delicately poised going into the closing stages.
It looked like United might be taken to extra-time, just as they were in last season’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, only for their top scorer to come through with the goods after a sublime cross from Ander Herrera.
The goal clearly meant a lot to the veteran, who has now won domestic competitions in five different countries.
WATCH: When Zlatan Ibrahimovic heard it was official. Man Utd win the EFL cup. SS1 now: https://t.co/l9HByg1AGX
https://t.co/uzjR4qmDha— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 26, 2017
There was a sense of relief among United supporters.
So undeserved it's untrue. But get in.
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) February 26, 2017
The Lord doing Zlatan's work!!!
— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) February 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/tomajbuchanan/status/835916353689235456
Elsewhere, meanwhile, a sense of inevitability was felt by many.
Cometh the hour.. pic.twitter.com/DVzomI7T16
— Arsène's Son 🎈 (@hughwizzy) February 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/mchlgrhm/status/835916080950431744
https://twitter.com/jackpitt89/status/835916146062868480
Bit annoying.
— Macca (@The_Paris_Angel) February 26, 2017
A reminder that 99% of the time, football is just fucking shit.
— Huw Davies (@thehuwdavies) February 26, 2017
Some were still keen to cling to whatever crumbs of comfort remained. So much so, in fact, that they did their clinging when it was still 2-2.
Whatever happens now I lived to see Man United squander a two goal lead in a cup final, so that's something
— 𝐐 (@LowQualityRegen) February 26, 2017
It was never in doubt, was it?
https://twitter.com/stuholden/status/835916338270916608
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live
