Man Utd vs Newcastle – Carabao Cup final: Rashford out for goals as Toon down to third keeper – TV channel, stream
NEWCASTLE UNITED are heading to the rebuilt Wembley for the first time as they face Man Utd in the Carabao Cup final.
But a string of misfortunes for the Magpies is likely to slightly dampen excitement ahead of a tough clash with the Red Devils.
Despite beating Southampton home and away to qualify for the final, Eddie Howe’s Champions League chasers have gone well off the boil in the Premier League.
They are now four games without a win and suffered a humbling defeat to Liverpool last weekend.
But to make matters worse, goalkeeper Nick Pope was sent off in the 2-0 loss to the Reds and will now miss the Wembley final.
And in a bizarre twist of fate, Newcastle are unable to call on backup goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, as he played for their opponents Man Utd during a loan spell.
The Slovak was between the sticks for Man Utd’s third round win over Aston Villa and fourth round win over Burnley.
That means that former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius is likely to get the nod over Mark Gillespie.
And he will be desperate to perform better than his last appearance for an English club, where two howlers for Liverpool gifted Real Madrid the Champions League.
But United talisman Marcus Rashford – who appeared to have shaken off injury to play – is in a rich vein of form and will be able to scent blood a mile off if Karius is not up to the task.
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The England ace has already surpassed his best ever goal tally for a season, with three months still to play.
Therefore the onus at Wembley will be on Newcastle’s normally-reliable backline of Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier to provide Karius with extra protection.
What time does Man Utd vs Newcastle kick off?
- The Carabao Cup final will be held on Sunday, February 26.
- Kick-off is at 4.30pm.
- It takes place at Wembley Stadium.
- Last time the sides met, Newcastle ground out a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford back in October.
What TV channel is Man Utd vs Newcastle on and can I live stream it?
- The Carabao Cup final is live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
- Coverage commences at 3pm on Sky Sports Football and 3.30pm on Main Event.
- To stream the game live, head to Sky Go or get a Now TV Day Pass.
Five key talking points
Can Newcastle end long wait for silverware?
It is 24 years since the Magpies last lined up in a major cup final – a 2-0 defeat to Sunday’s opponents in the 1999 FA Cup final.
It has been a long wait for the success-starved Geordies, who have not added a major trophy to their cabinet since lifting the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.
An end to that drought this weekend would turn a memorable campaign into an unforgettable one.
Can Man United end trophy drought?
Many clubs would be pretty happy to have won a major competition as recently as 2017, but United are a different beast.
The Old Trafford giants have not lifted a trophy since Jose Mourinho led them to Europa League glory, meaning the club are enduring their worst trophy drought for 40 years.
They lost the 2018 FA Cup and 2021 Europa League finals in the six years since that win in Stockholm, meaning their 10th League Cup final means much more than their last triumph in the competition against Southampton in 2017.
Furthermore, there is hope that the first trophy of impressive manager Erik ten Hag’s reign could kickstart an era of success.
Can Howe establish himself as Newcastle hero?
Earlier this month Eddie Howe received a hero’s welcome on his first return to Bournemouth, where he spent a combined 22 years as player and then manager before leaving for good in 2020.
The 45-year-old is the greatest manager in the Cherries’ history, having guided them from League Two to the Premier League, and now has the chance to put himself among the St James’ Park greats.
Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan were unable to cap their successful spells in charge with a trophy, but Howe has the chance to do that on Sunday with a victory under the arch.
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.
The final will be the former Real Madrid man’s first domestic match after serving a three-match ban for violent conduct, while Guimaraes has not played since being sent off for a shocking tackle in the semi-final second-leg win against Southampton last month.
United also have fit-again Antony and Fred to call upon – two more Brazil stars ready to light up Wembley.
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 been dismissed during Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat by Liverpool for handling outside his area.
It is a crushing blow compounded from a Newcastle perspective by the fact back-up Martin Dubravka is cup-tied, having played twice in the Carabao Cup during a loan spell at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
It is likely to mean a first competitive appearance in two years for Loris Karius, perhaps best remembered for the goals he conceded in former club Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid in 2018 on what proved to be his final outing for the Reds.
Boss Howe has urged the German goalkeeper to “rewrite the story of his career”.
Latest odds
To win in 90 minutes
Man Utd 23/20
Draw 23/10
Newcastle 23/10
To win the Carabao Cup
Man Utd 13/20
Newcastle 5/4
Odds from Betfair correct as of Tuesday, February 21