JAKARTA - Manchester United (MU) is aiming for their first trophy in the last six years when they appear in the final of the English League Cup or Carabao Cup, against Newcastle United.
The championship final, also known as the EFL Cup, will be held at Wembley Stadium, Sunday 26 February, starting at 23.30 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB).
MU last won a trophy when they won the Europa League in the 2016/17 season while still under coach Jose Mourinho. Now they have the chance to win another title after a trophy drought since Sir Alex Ferguson left.
This match was also an opportunity for coach Erik ten Hag to lead MU to win the title in his first year as coach of the club nicknamed the Red Devils.
But MU ambitions certainly will not be achieved easily. Newcastle is currently a team that is on the rise since becoming a new rich club after being bought by a consortium of companies from Saudi Arabia which is reportedly fully supported by the crown prince of the kingdom in the Middle East, Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
With 41 points, currently, the team coached by Eddie Howe is in fifth place in the Premier League standings, two levels below Manchester United by eight points. Newcastle are only one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
The Magpies are strong candidates to win a Champions League ticket next season. They have become a force to be reckoned with this season.
United coach Erik ten Hag was unable to field injured trio Christian Eriksen, Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial for Sunday's Carabao Cup final.
However, the biggest concern is Marcus Rashford's fitness due to an ankle problem. But the player who has scored 16 goals for the Red Devils since the 2022 World Cup ended seems to be fit for this very vital game.
Ten Hag also has a say in making his full-backs, although in United's first chance at silverware in six years he is expected to be at full strength here.
Casemiro is ready to be deployed after a three-match ban in the Premier League. He was also one of the players who played a very important role in helping MU win the Europa League playoff against Barcelona.
Ten Hag is predicted to install a 4-2-3-1 formation. Rashford, who is usually on the left wing, will be sent as the sole spearhead. He will be supported by the trio of Bruno Fernandes, Wout Weghorst and Jadon Sancho.
Brazilian duo Casemiro and Fred will position in front of the back four which will be filled by Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw. These four defenders will escort goalkeeper David De Gea.
At Newcastle United, Martin Dubravka is ineligible, and with Nick Pope suspended, goalkeeper Loris Karius will make his first appearance for the England side since the 2018 Champions League final.
Eddie Howe will wait for the results of Joelinton and Joe Willock's fitness tests to appear in this final. Joelinton will most likely appear in between the two.
Emil Krafth is out long term, but Bruno Guimaraes returns after a three game suspension. Eddie Howe is likely to carry out a 4-3-3 formation by fielding the trio Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin up front.
They will be supported by the midfield of Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. While at the back Fabian Schar and Sven Botma guarded the heart of the defense with Kieran Trippier on the right and Dan Burnn on the left.
Manchester United have won 16 of their last 20 matches in all competitions after midweek when they came from behind to beat Barcelona at Old Trafford. They will certainly look to maximize their chances of ending their six-year wait for a trophy.
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MU's chances of winning a trophy are getting bigger after Newcastle's performance actually dived at the wrong time. They have won only four of their last 11 matches in all competitions, three of which have come in the Carabao Cup. Without number one Nick Pope, it hasn't been the ideal preparation for Eddie Howe's side.
Newcastle's best game may come out in this final. Yet it's hard not to root for United for Sunday's Carabao Cup final contention.
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