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    Marcus Rashford a DOUBT for Man Utd’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle with mystery injury as Ten Hag gives update

    ERIK TEN HAG has confirmed Marcus Rashford is a doubt for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.The red-hot England star, 25, sparked injury concerns with a cryptic Instagram post following the 2-1 Europa League win over Barcelona.
    Marcus Rashford needed treatment after picking up a knock late in Man Utd’s win over BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    And Ten Hag appears to have confirmed Rashford could miss Man Utd’s first Wembley showdown in six years.
    When asked about Rashford’s knock, Ten Hag said: “I don’t know, the players now are coming in.
    “We have to do investigations, medical of course.
    “We did straight after the game, but most of the time you have to wait for a 100 per cent diagnosis.
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    “So let’s do the medical, the work, we have to wait.”
    Rashford was in action as Man Utd side edged past Barcelona in the Europa League.
    Ten Hag’s men produced a rousing comeback to win 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.
    But Rashford’s evening ended on a sour note as he was subbed off in the 88th minute, looking clearly uncomfortable.
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    The red-hot forward removed his left boot and walked straight down the tunnel after talking to Ten Hag.
    After the match, he took to Instagram – but not just to celebrate the win like many of his team-mates.
    Instead, he posted a snap of himself walking off with his boot in his hand, accompanied by a bandaged emoji.
    Fans quickly took that to mean he was an injury worry for Sunday.
    And Ten Hag’s update appears to have confirmed that.
    Rashford’s absence would be a huge loss with the England ace in scintillating form since the World Cup.
    The forward has bagged 17 goals in 20 appearances after returning from Qatar.
    Ten Hag may now be forced to find another way to beat an “annoying” Newcastle XI.
    Erik ten Hag confirmed Marcus Rashford could miss the clash with injuryCredit: Getty
    Looking ahead to Sunday’s game, the Man Utd boss said: “They’re an annoying team to play against, so we have to find a way to win. They try to annoy you. 
    “For instance you want to play an effective time. They have the lowest in the league and they are quite successful with it.
    “So it’s up to us that we get speed in the game and we are also then dependent on the refereeing as well.
    “We have to make it our game and focus on the job, on playing football.
    “We have to concentrate on the job and not get distracted and find our moments when we can strike.”
    Ten Hag was also praiseworthy of Newcastle’s football when the ball is actually on the pitch.
    He said: “It’s a great team, a clear philosophy about how they want to play the game. The key word is intensity, they do really well.”
    Ten Hag wants to leave nothing to chance as the Red Devils bid for their first trophy in six years.
    He said: “It is a great opportunity to get silverware in.
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    “It is all about glory and honour in football. We deserve to play in the final and now we have a great opportunity to win the cup and we have to do everything to get it to Manchester.
    “The fans are really waiting for it, so we have do everything we can to give the fans their honour.” More

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    Man Utd’s unrecognisable XI last time they were in Carabao Cup final – with only FOUR players from squad still at club

    MANCHESTER UNITED have only four players remaining at the club from their 2017 Carabao Cup winning team.Jose Mourinho’s team has been transformed in the last six years and David De Gea could be the only player to feature in the starting XI of both finals.
    Only four players survive from the United squad of 2017
    Paul Pogba left for Juventus and Jesse Lingard joined Nottingham Forest – but Marcus Rashford is still at the clubCredit: Getty
    The Spaniard has been ever present for the Red Devils since signing in 2011 and helped United to a 3-2 win over Southampton in 2017.
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice including the winning goal, with Jesse Lingard also getting on the scoresheet.
    Lingard left last summer along with Paul Pogba and Juan Mata, who also started against the Saints.
    The only surviving players from the squad who could start on Sunday alongside De Gea are Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, who appeared as a substitute in 2017.
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    Eric Bailly, who started in that win, is still at the club but out on loan at Marseille.
    He was accompanied in central defence by the long-departed Chris Smalling, with Antonio Valencia and Marcos Rojo featuring at full-back.
    Ander Herrera was the other player to feature that day with Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini being brought off the bench.
    Also among the substitutes were Wayne Rooney, Daley Blind, Ashley Young and goalkeeper Sergio Romero, none of whom featured.
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    United also won the Europa League in 2017 and Erik ten Hag could repeat the cup double this season after beating Barcelona on Thursday to progress to the next round.
    Real Betis are next up for United, who have just two days to prepare for the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
    David De Gea could be the only player to start in both 2017 and 2023 cup finalsCredit: Alamy
    Marcus Rashford made a substitute appearance in 2017 and could be key on SundayCredit: AP More

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    ‘We deserve to lose’ – Even some Newcastle fans are cringing at ‘horrific’ Carabao Cup final song before Man Utd clash

    NEWCASTLE fans have been left cringing after a season ticket holder released a ‘rave’ song ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. Eddie Howe’s men take on Manchester United at Wembley aiming to win a first trophy in 68 years.
    Toon fan Kevin Hogg, who goes by the name MC Tazo, made the song
    Newcastle players and staff celebrate reaching the Carabao Cup final.Credit: Getty
    Fans are understandably in a great mood with the Magpies flying high and the dark days of Mike Ashley’s ownership well behind them.
    And one member of the Toon Army took it upon himself to release a song to mark the club’s historic trip to Wembley.
    It includes lyrics like: “Geordie boys make some noise we’re going to Wembley. So tell yi ma, tell yi ma you won’t be home for tea.”
    Rival fans have piled in on social media to say how embarrassing it – and even some Newcastle supporters are cringing.
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    One commented: “God it’s getting worse!! Newcastle getting to a cup final has turned into a absolute cringe fest.”
    Another said: “Wow, just wow. How embarrassing.”
    A third added: “Makes me feel sick”
    A fourth said: “Wtf is this. They deserve to lose for this nonsense alone.”
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    The man behind the song is Toon fan Kevin Hogg who goes by the name MC Tazo.
    Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle Hogg explained how the song came about.
    He said: “It’s an underground thing and has been in the North East for 20 years, but over the years more big name DJs are playing Makina and it’s getting more commercial.”
    He added: “After they (Newcastle) beat Southampton, one of my friends said you’ll need to do a rhyme about Wembley and I was in my work van and I just wrote it to a track that I was already working on.”
    He concluded: “I got home and explained to the kids that we would do a TikTok video just for a laugh, and it just went from there.”
    The Carabao Cup final kicks off at 4.30pm on Sunday. More

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    Marcus Rashford sparks injury fears with cryptic Instagram post just days before Man Utd’s Carabao Cup final

    MARCUS RASHFORD has sparked injury concerns with a cryptic Instagram post.The Manchester United star was in action last night as his side took on Barcelona in the Europa League.
    Marcus Rashford uploaded this this image to Instagram
    Rashford, 25, had gone down hurt during the matchCredit: PA
    Erik ten Hag’s men produced a rousing comeback to prevail 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.
    Rashford’s evening ended on a sour note, however, as he appeared to be in discomfort as he was substituted in the 88th minute.
    The red-hot forward removed his left boot and walked straight down the tunnel after talking to Ten Hag.
    After the match, he took to Instagram, but not just to celebrate the win.
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    Instead, he posted a snap of himself walking off with his boot in his hand, accompanied by a bandaged emoji – before Ten Hag appeared to confirm the worst.
    Rashford’s post has sparked fears among United fans that he could miss Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
    One wrote: “Don’t tell me he’s injured.”
    A second tweeted: “This isn’t good. I hope it isn’t too bad. Need him for the final.”
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    The England ace was replaced by Scott McTominayCredit: Rex
    And a third posted: “OH GOD PLEASE NO.”
    Some, however, believe he could just be playing mind games ahead of the final.
    One reckoned: “Definitely wouldn’t post this if he was actually injured.”
    A second observed: “He’s probably fine.”
    And a third tweeted: “Mind games with Newcastle already love it!”
    Rashford himself tweeted after the game, writing: “What a night for the team! Next stop Wembley.”
    The England ace has been in scintillating form since the World Cup, bagging 17 goals in 20 appearances after returning from Qatar.
    Rashford removed his boot as he trudged offCredit: PA More

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    I earned £55 a week at Asda – now I’m lining up for Newcastle against Man Utd in the Carabao Cup final

    DAN BURN once worked at Asda, banked £60-a-week at Darlington and even when he became a professional, was given the boot by Fulham.So the Newcastle defender, who finally signed for his boyhood club aged 29, could have been forgiven for getting a bit carried away ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.
    Dan Burn worked at Asda before becoming a professional footballerCredit: PA
    Yet along with other senior players at the club, Burn decided against getting suited and booted for Wembley on Sunday, believing it would send out completely the wrong message.
    Along with Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Ritchie, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier, Burn is part of Newcastle’s leadership group.
    He said: “We opted against suits, in the end. We thought it would be better to keep it normal and not have to think about having to get measured up and do all that sort of stuff.
    “We had spoken about it in the leadership group. Everyone gave their opinion and we sort of more or less came up with the decision.
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    “I don’t think there is a right or wrong way. It might not make any difference at all but mentality-wise, I wanted to feel like we were not going for a day out.
    “We are going to win. I don’t want it as an occasion where we feel we are happy just to get to the final.
    “Obviously there are certain things you have to do in the build-up for the final, like speaking to the media, like I am here now. But you have to keep it as normal as possible in the way we have attacked every game this season.”
    Burn, 30, is one of the few players who have featured at Wembley before, having helped Yeovil win the 2013 League One play-off final.
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    A central defender currently playing at left-back, he scored his first goal for Newcastle in the 2-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Leicester and then proceeded to deliver a bizarre dance in front of the TV cameras in the dressing room.
    But when you look at his journey, no wonder he went slightly bonkers for a few seconds.
    He said: “I have had a roller-coaster career, ups and downs. It has not been plain sailing but you use those experiences to give you a bit more drive. You want to prove people wrong.
    “I was released from Newcastle when I was young. I was an 11-year-old kid who thought he was going to be the next Alan Shearer and the best in the world.
    “So to get that knock as a kid, in that environment at school where everyone knew you were not at Newcastle anymore, had a big effect on me.
    “In my teens, I played for Blyth Spartans. I also signed for New Hartley on a Saturday and even then, I was not really getting a kick.
    “I needed money to go and do things with my mates like the cinema so I worked at Asda, earning £9-something an hour.
    “When I went to Darlington, I was on £55 a week – and it cost me £80 a week in petrol so I was in debt to my parents for a long time.
    “I crammed three or four of the lads in the car so I could take £20 quid off them just so it could help.
    “When I went to Fulham, I felt as though the lads who had been there since the academy had been given everything. I had grafted and felt that helped.
    “Even when I was released by Fulham, there were not a lot of clubs interested. Only Wigan gave me a contract.”
    Burn’s journey then took him to Brighton. Once manager Howe had millions of pounds burning a hole in his pocket after the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle, the decision to sign Burn for £13million in January 2022 was a surprise, but a good piece of business.
    Burn, a thoroughly-likeable individual, added: “I have never, ever thought I would be in this position. Once the takeover happened, I thought the chances of me playing for Newcastle were done.
    “But football works in strange ways and we have come a long way in a short space of time.
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    “We have a lot of momentum and belief but we must not get complacent. I would like this to be a stepping stone towards bigger things.
    “This is my first major final and the first win will be huge for the club. But I do not want it to be a one-off. I want it to be a catalyst for more.” More

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    Newcastle star Kieran Trippier names FOUR Man Utd dangermen ahead of Carabao Cup final including two England pals

    KIERAN TRIPPIER has picked out four Man United stars as dangermen ahead of the Carabao Cup final.Newcastle face the Red Devils at Wembley on Sunday as they aim to win their first trophy since 1955.
    Kieran Trippier has highlighted four dangermen in the Man United teamCredit: Rex
    Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are two of the player Trippier is concerned aboutCredit: Getty
    Trippier also highlight Luke Shaw and CasemiroCredit: Getty
    The Magpies have been one of the standout sides in the Premier League this season but will face a tough task against in-form United.
    Trippier has admitted that Marcus Rashford has been in “unbelievable” form recently and will be one of the players his side needs to stop.
    The defender also named Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Luke Shaw as the club’s dangermen.
    He told Chronicle Live: “I know Marcus very well, I’m really happy for him because I’ve always known how unbelievable he is and he’s certainly hit some form.
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    “But it’s not about one individual – you’ve got Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Luke Shaw, who’s been unbelievable this season as well.”
    However, Trippier has insisted that his side can not be “too focused” on the quartet and need to plan on how they can attack United.
    He added: “We can’t be too focused on them.
    “Obviously, we need to review them, of course, but we need to focus on how we can hurt them.
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    “We want to go into that final to win.
    “That’s our only priority.”
    Newcastle will welcome Bruno Guimaraes to the team after he completed his suspension following his red card against Southampton in the semi-finals.
    Boss Eddie Howe said of the midfielder: ‘He’s OK, he’s good.
    “He’s been really disappointed to miss the last few games, and he’s felt very frustrated not to help the team.
    “But he’s back – and he’s in a good place.” More

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    Newcastle fans furious with Nile Ranger over Instagram posts just days before Carabao Cup final against Man Utd

    NEWCASTLE fans have been left furious with ex-striker Nile Ranger after he advertised inflated Carabao Cup final tickets ahead of Sunday’s clash at Wembley with Manchester United. The Toon are contesting their first League Cup final since 1976 on Sunday.
    Ex-Toon striker Nile Ranger has left fans furious for advertising inflated Carabao Cup final ticketsCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
    Tickets for Toon fans topped £2000Credit: Nile Ranger / Instagram
    Tens of thousands of Geordies will descend on London hoping to roar their team to victory.
    Some fans were more lucky than others with securing match tickets.
    However, Newcastle fans have been left furious after one of their former strikers, Ranger, advertised 100 match tickets with the cost of sitting in the Toon end costing an astonishing £2,150.
    The footie bad boy played for Newcastle between 2009 and 2013.
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    On Ranger’s official Instagram, he wrote: “Tickets available. Carabao Cup. SERIOUS ONLY!!
    “Man Utd end £1150. Newcastle end £2150. Market Prices. 100 tickets left.”
    Ranger further explained on Twitter: “Tickets are available through a trusted marketplace, which guarantees all tickets.
    “Prices are above face value, and the company is not affiliated with the football clubs or Wembley directly.
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    “Customers will be paying the company direct.
    “You are worried about reselling tickets. Go help victims of Syria and Turkey. HOW ABOUT THAT.”
    One fan said on Ranger’s antics: “If you’re paying £2.5k to Nile Ranger for a ticket to the final then you should maybe re-evaluate your decision making processes.
    “I literally can’t think of anyone I’d trust less hahahahaha.”
    Another tweeted: “Nile Ranger try not to be a scumbag challenge (level impossible).”
    Others have taken shots at Rangers’ questionable, and at times, criminal past.
    In 2007, Ranger was sentenced to 11 weeks custody as a 15-YEAR-OLD for his part in a street robbery.
    In 2011, the striker was apologised for causing outrage after being seen posing with a replica gun.
    A year later, he was fine £6,000 by the FA for homophobic comments made on Twitter.
    In 2014 Ranger was forced to pay costs and fined for criminal damage after kicking in his own front door.
    Three years later he was suspended by club Southend for football related reasons.
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    And in 2017 Ranger pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to eight months in prison.
    However, his jail stint lasted just ten weeks due to “his consistently excellent custodial behaviour”, remaining under curfew for the next five weeks. More

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    Newcastle star ‘trying to get tickets for Geordie Shore’s Aaron Chalmers vs Mayweather’ hours before Carabao Cup final

    A NEWCASTLE star has been trying to get tickets to Aaron Chalmers’ bout with Floyd Mayweather this weekend.The former Geordie Shore MMA fighter is taking on the 50-0 superstar at London’s 02 Arena on Saturday.
    Aaron Chalmers is set to take on Floyd Mayweather on SaturdayCredit: Splash
    Less than 24 hours later the Toon will do battle with Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final.
    Eddie Howe’s side are bidding to win their first domestic trophy since 1955.
    But that doesn’t mean their hasn’t been any interest in Saturday’s fight among their squad.
    Chatting to talkSPORT, Chalmers claimed: “My barber was saying that Jamaal Lascelles was on about getting tickets for the fight.
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    “I’m not sure he’ll be able to get tickets for the fight when he’s got a big cup final the next day.”
    Chalmers, 35, has seven pro MMA bouts to his name, boasting a 5-2 record.
    He has fought just once in boxing, winning on points against Alexander Zeledon.
    His lack of experience in the ring doesn’t mean that he’ll have no support at the 02, however.
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    He added: “I’m hoping a lot of people will be tuning in.
    “I know loads of lads are coming down without a ticket to be in London for the weekend.
    “I would have bet my house this time last year, me fighting Floyd Mayweather and Newcastle being in a cup final because it would never have happened.
    “It’s crazy, it’s big for Newcastle. I would 100 per cent take the Carabao Cup and sixth place in the league – any day of the week.”
    Should Toon stars win, they will share a prize pot of £1million.
    It’s claimed that the cash will be distributed in accordance to matches and minutes played in the League Cup this term.
    Jamaal Lascelles ‘wants to attend’ Chalmers vs MayweatherCredit: Getty
    Newcastle stars will share £1m if they win the Carabao CupCredit: Getty More