Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased to give the Glazer family their first trophy since they took over Manchester United.
With three members of the Glazer family witnessing victory in Cardiff, Ferguson said: "I'm delighted for them, they have put a lot of money in.
"I don't so much feel relief that we have won a trophy, more an assuredness in knowing we could win this cup.
"Any trophy you win is important and we're delighted. We've been criticised but we've never devalued this cup."
Meanwhile Ferguson defended his decision to prefer Louis Saha instead of Ruud van Nistelrooy to spearhead Manchester United's Carling Cup win.
Van Nistelrooy was left on the bench despite being United's top scorer this season and did not get in on the action.
The Dutch striker looked a disconsolate figure as he trooped down the tunnel alone while his team-mates celebrated their victory over Wigan.
Ferguson said: "Ruud is disappointed and I would expect him to be. I was dropped myself in a cup final when I was the top scorer.
"Finals are terrible for those who are left out but Louis deserved to play as he's scored in every round.
"There's a danger sometimes that you can overlook him and not give him his credit."
Manchester United captain Gary Neville dedicated their Carling Cup victory to injured team-mate Alan Smith.
Smith broke his leg in United's FA Cup exit at Liverpool and Neville said: "This is for Smudger.
"We were devastated last week, and after Alan picked up a really bad injury we knew he couldn't be here today.
"We've taken a lot of criticism over the last year, and rightly so, but hopefully this can be the start of something special."
(BBC)
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