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Recommended bets
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Match preview
It’s time for the first final of the season with both clubs desperate to end their, in relative terms, trophy draughts.
Manchester United haven’t lifted silverware since 2017, their longest barren period since the early-1970s.
Newcastle United meantime haven’t hoisted aloft any major trophy since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final of 1969, with their last domestic honour coming in 1955.
In fact, this’ll be the Toon Army’s first cup final appearance since being beaten 2-0 by Man United in the FA Cup Final of 1999.
To get here, Eddie Howe’s team have overcome Tranmere, Crystal Palace on penalties, Bournemouth, Leicester and then Southampton over two legs.
However, alongside this, the Magpies’ Premier League form has taken a nosedive since the turn of the year.
This saw them slip out of the top four, having won just one of their last seven, albeit five of these have been draws.
Manchester United meantime will be traveling down to Wembley in confident mood, given their excellent recent run of results.
On Thursday night, the Red Devils came from behind to beat Barcelona in the Europa League, thanks to lovely second half strikes from Fred and Antony; they’ll face Real Betis in the last 16.
In the league meantime, Erik ten Hag’s team have won eight of their last 11, losing just once, so start the weekend a mere five points off the leaders.
Having overcome Aston Villa, Burnley, Charlton and Nottingham Forest, Man United have reached their tenth League Cup Final, victorious in each of the last four.
So, without doubt, the men from Manchester come into this one as favourites, but Newcastle will not roll over easily.
Which united will prevail at Wembley and be hoisting aloft the Carabao Cup by Sunday evening?
Manchester United team news
Manchester United improve exponentially in midweek after Wout Weghorst was taken off at half time with Antony coming on.
This saw Bruno Fernandes back as the number ten, Jadon Sancho on the left and the country’s form player Marcus Rashford through the middle; everyone in their best positions.
Rashford, who’s scored 24 goals this season, did hobble down the tunnel on Thursday, but will surely be fit enough to start here.
Fred’s outstanding performance should see him keep his place at the base of midfield, alongside Casemiro, chosen over Marcel Sabitzer or Scott McTominay.
David de Gea is the only player who started Man United’s last League Cup Final, in 2017, who will start here too.
Predicted XI: (4-3-3): de Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martínez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes; Antony, Sancho, Rashford.
Newcastle United team news
All the talk this week has been about Newcastle’s goalkeeping situation, following Nick Pope’s red card last weekend.
He’s suspended and back-up Martin Dúbravka is cup-tied, having featured for Man United in earlier rounds.
So, bizarrely, the Slovakian international will receive a winners medal, but only if his side loses.
This means Newcastle’s third-choice goalkeeper will be thrown in and that is, of all people, Loris Karius, who hasn’t played in a competitive match for anyone since 28 February 2021.
In better news, Bruno Guimarães’ three-match suspension is now over, a major boost, while Joe Willock is also expected to be fit enough to start in midfield.
If Willock is ready to go, Joelinton will return to the left-wing, with Allan Saint-Maximin dropping out.
Club-record signing Alexander Isak is set to lead the line, given the nod over Callum Wilson.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Karius; Trippier, Schär, Botman, Burn; Willock, S Longstaff, Guimarães; Almirón, Joelinton; Isak.
Manchester United vs Newcastle United: Head to head statistics
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