Manchester United tug it out with Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 26 February 2023. Last Word on Football tries to put together the Manchester United predicted lineup as the Red Devils aim to win their first trophy under Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Newcastle United
The hard work doesn't stop! 👊#MUFC pic.twitter.com/C3En7Bnfzu
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 24, 2023
How Manchester United Have Lined-Up Recently
The Manchester giants are heading into the Carabao Cup in hot form, having just eliminated Barcelona from the Europa League. Ten Hag has helped the Red Devils take things to the next level since the season resumed after the Qatar World Cup break.
He also appears to have found his best XI which can be banked upon to win the major games. The back-five which started against Barcelona, including the brilliant centre-back partnership of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez – should be chosen for this big cup final too.
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Marcus Rashford is having his best personal season ever and has been on fire in the Carabao Cup this season, scoring five goals and providing two assists in just five games. Despite suffering an injury scare in the last game, he’s likely to recover for this and link up with Wout Weghorst – whose only United goal came in this competition.
Ten Hag will also persist with midfielders Casemiro, Fred and Bruno Fernandes – but could change things up for the right-wing area. Jadon Sancho – who was labelled as ‘brilliant’ by the United manager weeks ago, is likely to be dropped for the in-form Antony after he scored the winner against Barcelona.
Manchester United Recent Form
The Red Devils have won three out of their last five games in all competitions and have been on fire since the campaign resumed in December. They’ve played 18 games since then, winning 14 and only losing once to Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Despite their impressive form, the games have not been easy for United. In the majority of their last five games, they’ve had to come back from deficits to get positive results – just as they came from a goal down to win against Barcelona. Ten Hag deserves the utmost credit for that, with his excellent substitutions and in-game changes helping his side know when to put pressure on their opposition and finding different ways to break teams down.
Manchester United Recent Tactics
Ten Hag has stuck with a 4-3-3 system for the majority of the season and is likely to persist with that against the Magpies as well. The formation gives more flexibility to his players, allowing them to move into different positions to keep opposition players guessing. It also helps with their quick-passing build-up play as well as moving the ball forward more smoothly.
The Red Devils tend to build up with their centre-backs and then move the ball into the move using their wingers or full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw. The wingers love to cut into central areas, with Ten Hag also giving the likes of Fred and Fernandes freedom to get further forward towards the box to add more goal-scoring or creative threat.
How Will They Implement That Against Newcastle?
Ten Hag’s side will need to be patient yet creative with their attacking moves to score against a Newcastle side that has been impressive defensively this season. Even if they don’t have Nick Pope, the Magpies are a well-structured unit that refuses to be broken down and can withstand a lot of pressure.
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While the Red Devils are likely to dominate possession, they will probably get some space to hit Newcastle on the counter-attack. They’ve been excellent in that regard this season and the pace of players like Rashford, Antony and Fernandes can trouble any side.
Ten Hag also needs his side to be defensively strong and extremely alert – as they were for the majority of the match against Barcelona. Moreover, they need to maintain utmost concentration in set-pieces and fast-break situations – because the Magpies will test them with their unpredictable attacking style.
Manchester United Injuries to Consider
Rashford picked up a slight knock against Barcelona, but he should make this game as long as he clears the medical tests. Anthony Martial is still ruled out as he recovers from his injury, while Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek are out for the rest of the season.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, Antony, Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst
