NEWCASTLE UNITED are heading to the rebuilt Wembley for the first time TODAY as they face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final.
United talisman Marcus Rashford is in a rich vein of form and will be able to scent blood a mile off if third-choice Loris Karius is not up to the task.
However, Eddie Howe’s men will be desperate to make Newcastle’s huge fan base happy by securing the club’s first major triumph in 68 years.
- Kick-off time: 4:30pm GMT
- Live stream: NOW TV
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event and Football
- Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Martinez, Varane, Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford, Antony, Weghorst
- Newcastle XI: Karius, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Joelinton, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson
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Dutch revolution in need of silverware
Erik ten Hag will have been made aware before his appointment how he was brought in to get the club back on track.
This was always going to be measured in the form of trophies although, in his first season, he could expect to be given the grace of patience.
To win the EFL Cup today would put his plan ahead of schedule but would also make a statement that his squad is ready to be a major player once again.
Manager and squad have belief
The Newcastle manager has spoken ahead of the showpiece game at Wembley today:
Newcastle subs:
29. Gillespie, 6. Lascelles, 11. Ritchie, 13. Targett, 14. Isak, 19. Manquillo, 23. Murphy, 28. Willock, 32. Anderson
Newcastle starting XI:
Good news for Newcastle fans with Joelinton recovering from a thigh strain to make the final and partner Bruno Guimaraes in the heart of midfield.
18. Karius, 2. Trippier, 5. Schar, 4. Botman, 33. Burn, 36. Longstaff, 39. Guimaraes, 7. Joelinton, 10. Saint-Maximin, 24. Almiron, 9. Wilson
Credit: @NUFC Man Utd subs:
22. Heaton, 2. Lindelof, 5. Maguire, 29. Wan-Bissaka, 12. Malacia, 39. McTominay, 15. Sabitzer, 49. Garnacho, 25. Sancho
Man Utd starting XI:
The big news for United fans is that in-form attacker Marcus Rashford is fit for today’s final.
1. De Gea, 20. Dalot, 19. Varane, 6. Martinez, 23. Shaw, 17. Fred, 18. Casemiro, 8. Fernandes, 21. Antony, 27. Weghorst, 10. Rashford
Credit: @ManUtd A drought will be ended today
Man Utd last won a trophy in 2017 when then manager, Jose Mourinho, lifted the Europa League for the Manchester outfit.
Meanwhile, it has been 68 years since The Magpies last won a domestic trophy, in the guise of an FA Cup win.
Both sets of fans are hungry for success today and will be hoping that they can put their respective drought spells behind them as they lift the EFL Cup this afternoon.
Painting the town black and white
Newcastle fans have arrived in droves this weekend for the cup final, craving that first domestic trophy since 1955.
It has been a party mood all weekend as fans have travelled from as far as America to see the Toon Army at Wembley.
This could be a day to remember if Eddie Howe and his team can produce today.
Credit: PA Newcastle team talk
All talk of the Newcastle line-up for today this week has been dominated by the red card of Nick Pope which will keep him out of today’s game.
With Dubravka cup tied, this could lead to the reintroduction of Loris Karius to English football, having not featured on our TV screens since that infamous Champions League final.
Anthony Gordon cannot play, having played for Everton in the earlier rounds also.
One bit of positive news for the Geordies is that Bruno Guimaraes returns from his own suspension and will add some quality to the centre of the park for Eddie Howe.
Emil Krafth is the only long-term injury they have to contend with after an ACL tear and The Magpies will be hoping both Joelinton and Joe Willock can shake off thigh issues to make themselves available for the showpiece event.
Man Utd team talk
Marcus Rashford limped out of the Red Devils’ recent European tie with Barcelona, creating panic amongst fans but they will be hoping he is able to be part of this huge clash.
United will be without long-term absentees Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial is still not expected to be any closer to returning from his hip injury.
Antony and Harry Maguire returned from knocks against the Spanish giants in midweek and the performance the Brazilian put in particularly could lead Erik ten Hag into considering playing him ahead of Wout Weghorst.
Weghorst does have a physical presence which could be very useful against Newcastle but the form of Jadon Sancho and Antony may make the Dutch manager consider different options.
Boys from Brazil prepare to battle
Both sides boast Brazilians who could decide Sunday’s final.
Joelinton looked an expensive flop during his early years at St James’ Park, but the move into midfield proved inspired and has led to him becoming a key cog in a side in which compatriot Bruno Guimaraes is the star.
The popular 25-year-old’s midfield battle with international team-mate Casemiro at Wembley promises to be fascinating.
Can Karius fill void left by Pope?
Nick Pope has proved an inspired signing for the Magpies, but the goalkeeper will be forced to watch the final from the stands having seen red during a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.
It is a crushing blow compounded from a Newcastle perspective by the fact back-up Martin Dubravka is cup-tied following his earlier involvement in the competition with Manchester United.
This has resulted in a likely first competitive appearance in two years for Loris Karius, perhaps best remembered for his Champions League final horror show against Real Madrid.
Boss Howe has urged the German goalkeeper to “rewrite the story of his career”.
Top Carabao Cup goal scorer
Meanwhile, Manchester United last won a trophy in 2017 where Marcus Rashford led the line.
And he’ll be hoping to add to his Carabao Cup tally alongside inspiring United to a trophy win.
When did Newcastle last win a trophy?
Newcastle technically won their last trophy during the 2016/17 Championship season under Spanish icon Rafael Benitez.
And going further back, the Magpies achieved Intertoto Cup success in 2006 and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1968/69.
However, none of the previous are considered as major titles meaning that Newcastle’s last official triumph was an FA Cup win in the 1954/55 season.
The English giants beat Manchester City 3-1 at Wembley which saw them lift the iconic trophy for a sixth time.
Last winners of the Carabao Cup
Kepa had a howler in last season’s Carabao Cup final as it was the Chelsea goalkeeper’s missed penalty that saw Liverpool lift the trophy.
Credit: The Times Credit: Getty
Welcome to the Carabao Cup final: Man Utd vs Newcastle
Nothing beats a good day out at Wembley – especially if the club you support ends up lifting silverware at the 90,000-seated arena.
And two of the biggest fan bases in English football will be flooding the London streets today dreaming that their team can be successful.
The second part of SunSport’s action-packed live coverage sees Manchester United take on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.
Manchester United humiliated Nottingham Forest in their semi-final by beating the Midlands outfit 5-0 on aggregate.
While the Magpies found their last-four encounter against Southampton a little trickier, but Eddie Howe’s men managed to continue their incredible journey this season with a 3-1 win.
Most people have United down as the favourites following the suspension of Magpies keeper Nick Pope.
However, Newcastle will have a lot of hunger in their stomach as they’ll be desperate to end a torrid trophy-less drought today.
Stay with us as coming up, we’ll have team updates, any breaking news and the starting line-ups all before kick-off at 4:30pm GMT.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
