IT was a long overdue Wembley return for Newcastle United but an unwelcome reminder of that awful sinking feeling.

A trip to Wembley inevitably brings an unbeatable high or the most crushing blow. Painfully for Newcastle, it was again the latter. It’s now eight Wembley defeats in a row in all competitions for the Magpies.

For Newcastle, this is an era of optimism and reaching the Carabao Cup final is evidence in itself of the rapid progression over the last 12 months.

But as Dan Burn said in the build-up to the game, the Magpies weren’t in London for a day out, they were there to win. And in the aftermath of the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, the overriding emotion for the Magpies will obviously be devastation. In time, the blow will be softened by the fact that Newcastle will almost certainly be back on this big stage sooner rather than later. They surely won't have to wait another 24 years for another appearance in a domestic cup final.

But they now need to lift themselves and make sure that a season that promised so much doesn’t peter out.

For all this meant and mattered to Newcastle, class ultimately told on the day. Had this game taken place a month ago, Newcastle would have been favourites, but things changed in the weeks building up to the game, and Erik ten Tag’s in-form side took their chances in the first half and managed it well in the second.

Man United only had two and a half days recovery from their Barcelona game but didn’t look fatigued. It could well be, as Eddie Howe said ahead of the game, that a week of regular routine played into the hands of Newcastle’s opponents.

It could have been different, though. Goalkeeper talk was – naturally – dominated by Loris Karius in the build-up to the game, but it was the gloveman at the other end who ought to grab the headlines.

And the moment which changed the game – and perhaps won Manchester United their first trophy since 2017 - was a brilliant first half save by David De Gea.

Howe’s biggest fear in the build-up to the game was his side overthinking things and being mentally burnt-out because of the emotion of the occasion, but the Magpies looked comfortable in the early stages. They were bright and saw plenty of the ball, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin showing flashes of early pace and intention.

While not creating plenty, they looked at home on the big stage and, at 0-0, created the best chance when Saint-Maximin – in the team at the expense of Joe Willock, who was only fit enough to start on the bench - superbly engineered a chance for himself in the box.

The Frenchman’s shot just after the half hour mark looked destined for the net but De Gea instinctively flung out an arm and denied the Newcastle forward.

And within eight minutes, Manchester United had scored a quickfire double to put one hand on the trophy.

The first was a goal from nothing. Although Manchester United had their moments in the early stages and looked a threat on the counter, Newcastle were relatively comfortable.

But they were undone by a set-piece for the opener, Luke Shaw’s free-kick met by the outstanding Casemiro, who found the bottom corner.

And with the Magpies reeling, just six minutes later came a slice of fortune that handed Manchester United their second. The classy Rashford linked up well with Wout Weghorst before his shot from inside the box clipped the leg of the unfortunate Sven Botman and looped over the helpless Karius.

One save, one header, one deflected shot, all in the space of eight minutes, ultimately decided the game. The Newcastle fans, so loud and proud all weekend were stunned into momentary silence.

And on the stroke of half-time, it was very nearly game over. Weghorst, a handful, cut in from the right and looked to find the top corner, denied by a brilliant save at full stretch from Karius.

The most remarkable run of events led to this unlikely opportunity for Karius, and while it obviously ended in the heartbreak of defeat, the German keeper was arguably Newcastle’s best performer.

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Howe was bold at the break, bringing on Isak in place of Longstaff and tinkering with the shape. It gave the fans a lift and Newcastle had a couple of moments early in the second half.

But Manchester United were streetwise and held the Magpies at arm’s length. Ten Hag was clever in the build-up to the game, attempting to force his way into the minds of the officials by claiming Newcastle were “annoying” with their game-management techniques. But it was the Dutchman’s side who showed themselves to be the masters of the dark arts in the second half. De Gea was booked for time wasting.

Saint-Maximin didn’t let his head drop and after winning a corner 20 minutes into the second half, roared and lifted the crowd. But it was a goal that Newcastle needed to truly lift the fans.

Newcastle stuck at it. They dominated the ball and had spells of pressure but struggled to turn the possession into clear cut chances. Joelinton had two shots inside the box charged down and in stoppage time had a looping shot well saved by De Gea.

With Newcastle having committed bodies, Manchester United were a threat on the break and Bruno Fernandes had a glorious chance to wrap up the victory in stoppage time but was again denied by the excellent Karius. But the damage was already done and, for Manchester United, the trophy won.