Sunday Carabao Cup final stats and tips: Man Utd vs Newcastle

Matty Briggs
26 February 2023

It’s six years since Manchester United lifted any silverware, while Newcastle have not won anything since 1969. Who will come out on top? Planet Sport checks out the team news, stats and best bets.

Erik ten Hag's United will be riding the crest of a wave after knocking Barcelona out of the Europa League on Thursday.

Just eight points separate the two teams in the Premier League, with Newcastle having a game in hand and the October Old Trafford draw was a tight affair.

Marcus Rashford is on fire and has netted 14 goals in 24 league matches to push United towards a title tilt, and fired home another 10 in 13 cup matches.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have seen their form fall off a cliff of late.

Eddie Howe's men were flying entering the Christmas period, but results have dropped off.

They have gone four Premier League games without a win and that has included disappointing draws with West Ham and Bournemouth.

Howe also has injury concerns with Joelinton and Joe Willock struggling, although the former should be fit.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope is also suspended, while Martin Dubravka is cup-tied, leaving former Liverpool stooge Loris Karius to take his place in goal.

Karius has not kicked a ball all season. In fact his last competitive game was 12 months ago for Union Berlin.

The 29-year-old's last cup final experience was the fateful Champions League final in 2018. The then Liverpool keeper was deemed at fault for two of the goals as Real Madrid won 3-1 - it was a performance which sealed his Anfield exit.

It's a big ask for Karius to come in and replace Pope in a final, but Newcastle have no option.