Sunday’s Carabao Cup final sees Manchester United and Newcastle battle it out at Wembley with both managers eyeing first trophies with their sides.
Erik ten Hag has revived Man Utd’s fortunes this season and masterminded a Europa League knockout playoff victory over Barcelona earlier this week, while Eddie Howe wants to become the first Magpies manager to win a major trophy since Doug Livingstone in 1955.
Here’s how each side has fared over the past few weeks in the build-up to the final.
Finishing second in their Europa League group meant two more games were added to Manchester United’s fixture list courtesy of the knockout play-off round.
They haven’t lost since a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in January, winning seven of their nine games in all competitions since. They slipped up in a 2-2 draw with Leeds before setting the record straight four days later with a 2-0 win at Elland Road.
The Red Devils comfortably saw off Leicester 3-0 at Old Trafford either side of their home and away playoff legs against Barcelona. They would go through 4-3 on aggregate, completed by a comeback 2-1 win on Thursday.
Newcastle have enjoyed an excellent 2022/23 season so far, though some positive results are needed to wake the side up after some disappointing performances.
Their most recent outing was disastrous as they conceded two early goals and had Nick Pope sent off against Liverpool, leaving Loris Karius to deputise in goal with Martin Dubravka ineligible to play.
Draws against West Ham and Bournemouth have also played their roles in Newcastle dropping out of the top four. They secured their spot in the Carabao Cup final with a pair of victories over Southamton in the semi finals.
Man Utd’s route to the final
Manchester United have had a pretty kind run in the Carabao Cup this season. They saw off Premier League opposition in Aston Villa 4-2 at Old Trafford and were handed home ties for subsequent victories over Championship sides Burnley and Charlton.
Marcus Rashford struck in the sixth minute of the first semi final leg and the Red Devils would go on to score four more unanswered goals across the tie.
Newcastle’s route to the final
Newcastle’s Carabao Cup campaign started in August, as they entered at the second round as a Premier League team not involved in European football. Aside from Tranmere in their first game when they came from behind to win 2-1, the Magpies faced Premier League opposition in every round.
Penalties were required to separate Newcastle and Crystal Palace at St James’ Park before Eddie Howe’s side recorded 1-0 and 2-0 victories over Bournemouth and Leicester respectively. They beat Southampton 1-0 in the first leg of their semi final and completed the job at home with a 2-1 win.
On this week’s edition of TFP, Chelsea legend Joe Cole joins Harry Symeou, Grizz Khan, Scott Saunders and Hunter Godson to discuss all the UEFA Champions League action from midweek, as well as look ahead to this weekend’s biggest fixtures. If you can’t see this embed, clickhereto watch the video!
