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.
https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/835919214632304640
There was a sense of relief among United supporters.
https://twitter.com/SmnLlyd5/status/835916200114860032
https://twitter.com/Okwonga/status/835916289793277953
https://twitter.com/tomajbuchanan/status/835916353689235456
Elsewhere, meanwhile, a sense of inevitability was felt by many.
https://twitter.com/hughwizzy/status/835916626306482177
https://twitter.com/mchlgrhm/status/835916080950431744
https://twitter.com/jackpitt89/status/835916146062868480
https://twitter.com/The_Paris_Angel/status/835916164626808838
https://twitter.com/thehuwdavies/status/835916258952556544
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.
https://twitter.com/LowQualityRegen/status/835908764159131648
It was never in doubt, was it?
https://twitter.com/stuholden/status/835916338270916608
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