After nearly a month of waiting, the Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle United is here.
The highly-anticipated fixture that place at Wembley on Sunday and its something Red Devils faithful are so keen on winning as it represents the club’s first genuine shot at silverware since 2017 when they won the Carabao Cup by defeating Southampton 3-2. This was added to the Europa League triumph over Ajax in Stockholm.
Six years is a long wait for silverware but United fans seem confident of getting the job done thanks to the terrific form under manager Erik ten Hag for much of this season, including their emphatic 2-1 comeback win over Spanish giants Barcelona on Thursday.
🏆 The prize on offer! 😍#EFL | #CarabaoCupFinal pic.twitter.com/i4inJuoWmU
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 26, 2023
Regardless, the Magpies are not one to be underestimated. They have been in top form for much of the season, lurking in the top four and with the best defensive record in the Premier League.
It will the Tynside outfit’s EFL Cup final appearance since 1976. This game is also a rematch of the 1999 FA Cup final, the last time Newcastle were in a cup final, which Man United won 2-0 courtesy of goals from Paul Scholes and Teddy Sheringham.
Road to final
Manchester United
The Red Devils began their Carabao Cup campaign with a 4-2 win at home to Aston Villa in the third round. It was a game the Villains could have won with less than 30 minutes left on the clock but United turned it around with three goals in the space of 23 minutes.
Their next games were straightforward wins over Championship and League One side Burnley (2-0) and Charlton Athletic (3-0) before securing a 5-0 aggregate win over Nottingham in the semi-finals.
Here's how @ManUtd and @NUFC made it to Wembley…#EFL | #CarabaoCupFinal pic.twitter.com/oBUcHswoRO
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 26, 2023
Newcastle United
The Magpies began their cup journey from the second round beating League Two side Trammere Rovers 2-1 before needing penalties to dispatch Crystal Palace in the third round after a goalless 90 minutes.
Next were hard-fought wins over Bournemouth (1-0) and Leicester City (2-0) with all the goals coming after the hour mark.
The semi-final wasn’t easy for Eddie Howe’s team but they were able to navigate past Southampton 3-1 on aggregate.
Current form
Manchester United
Man United are currently on a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W7 D2) since losing 3-2 to Premier League leaders Arsenal on January 22. The defeat is the only blemish in their last 20 competitive games (W16 D3) and such imperious form makes them strong favourites for victory at Wembley.
Newcastle United
The Magpies’ last outing ended in defeat as they lost 2-0 to Liverpool at St. James Park, making it only their second defeat of the season, with the earlier loss coming against the same opponent.
Indeed, they have been unbeaten in 17 games since their first loss of the season (W9 D8) but their form has tailed off lately with just two wins from eight matches (D5 L1). This makes it a very tricky tie for Howe’s charges which they will have to dig very deep for a first title in 58 years.
Head to Head
Man United are unbeaten in their six meetings with Newcastle (W4 D2) while the Magpies have only recoreded two wins in their last 20 games with United (D4 L14).
Suspension and injuries
Manchester United have no suspension worries and will only be without the services of Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek who are long term injury absentees while Anthony Martial is working his way back to fitness from a muscle injury.
Newcastle’s only injury absentee is Emil Krafth while goalkeepers Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka are out due to red card suspension and being cup-tied respectively.
Player Focus
Marcus Rashford is the star player for United. The Englishman has scored 24 goals in all competitions this season, including 15 since the return from the FIFA World Cup, the most of any player in Europe’s top five leagues this season. In the Carabao Cup, Rashford has five goals this season and 18 strikes in his last 15 outings in the competition.
⚽️ 5⃣ goals in the #CarabaoCup already for @MarcusRashford this season! 🔥
Will he get on the scoresheet this afternoon? 👀#EFL | #CarabaoCupFinal pic.twitter.com/GQqtLdkfDs
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 26, 2023
Miguel Almiron is the leading marksman for Newcastle this season with 10 goals in all competitions coupled with three assists. The Paraguay international has been very instrumental to the Magpies revived form this season and will pose a threat to the Man United defence if he is given the space and opportunity.
