Manchester United won their first major honour since Jose Mourinho took over as manager last summer with a dramatic and pulsating EFL Cup Final victory over Southampton.

The 3-2 win could easily have gone the other way with Saints putting up quite a fight in their quest to end their 30+ year trophy drought.

In the end United's class shone through and one man in particular raised his game to ensure victory; Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish striker was immense throughout the 90 minutes, from his stunning free-kick opener right through to his late header that provided victory.

It was a wonderful day for Man United fans and they can now look forward to a period of new success under the guidance of Jose Mourinho.

Here are the FIVE things we learned during the big match...

Zlatan's status of legend is deserved

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is regarded across Europe as a footballing legend and that status came to the fore again today with his virtuoso performance that delivered the silverware for Man United.

The Swede has won dozens of trophies throughout his career at some of the world's biggest clubs and winning major honours with United enhances his legacy and puts paid to the notion that he's 'past it' or just at Old Trafford for a big pay day.

He's been absolutely vital to everything good about Jose Mourinho's side and supporters must be hoping he sticks around for another season.

Manolo Gabbiadini is quite the buy

Manolo Gabbiadini has now scored an incredible five goals in his first three matches for Southampton and is looking quite the buy in the early stages of his Saints career. He was absolutely superb throughout Sunday's final and his goals threatened to deliver massive success for his new club.

Saints fans will of course be bitterly disappointed about the outcome of the match at Wembley but at least they can look forward to more performance and goals like that from their new Italian signing.

David De Gea can win matches too

With the match still at 1-0 to United, and Southampton growing into the game, David De Gea made two absolutely vital stops to keep the scores as they were. It highlighted that despite all the chatter about Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan this season, De Gea is still one of the most vital players in the entire squad at Old Trafford.

He may not have loads to do on a regular basis but keeping his concentration for these big moments is crucial and it gives the rest of his team confidence to know that even if they are caught out, they have a man between the sticks that can bail them out.

A new era of success has begun at Old Trafford

Jose Mourinho completed step one of his Manchester United revival by delivering silverware at the first time of asking. You get the impression he has his eyes on bigger prizes than the League Cup though and that his is just the beginning in a new era of success at Old Trafford.

With the Red Devils still competing well in both the FA Cup and UEFA Europa League, there's even the chance of a treble of trophies this season.

If that happens then Mourinho's first season as United boss will have been a massive success, especially if they also manage to make it into the English Premier League top four.

Wayne Rooney isn't afraid to do a John Terry

OK, it may not be as bad as John Terry getting changed from a suit into a full kit to parade around with the UEFA Champions League trophy but Wayne Rooney didn't mind getting the full strip out to collect his medals and the trophy despite not playing a minute of action.

To be fair to Rooney he is perfectly entitled to savour these moments, especially with his future at Old Trafford clouded in doubt. He's delivered his fair share of trophies for United so it's only fitting he gets to participate in this success too.