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Manchester United can end their six-year wait for a trophy on Sunday when they face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

Erik ten Hag has the opportunity to fulfill one of his promises the first time he asks for it by returning the trophies to M16, and reaches the final encouraged by the progression to the round of 16 of the Europa League, after his comeback by 2 -1. against Barcelona on Thursday.

That win only gave the Reds two full days to prepare for Newcastle, however, while Eddie Howe has been focused on Wembley since Sunday, though Ten Hag insisted the momentum from this busy month is an asset rather than a problem.

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Thursday’s victory at Old Trafford also gave United a major scare when Marcus Rashford went off injured in the second half. The striker has 24 goals in all competitions this season, more than three times the club’s second-highest goalscorer, Bruno Fernandes, but the fact that Ten Hag admits he didn’t know if Rashford would be fit for the final raises major concerns. .

Despite only starting once during the previous rounds of the cup, the semi-final first leg at Nottingham Forest, David De Gea is expected to start in the final. The 32-year-old continues to prove his importance between the posts and his experience from back to forward will be vital in fending off an attacking Newcastle side.

At the back, the pairing of Lisandro Martínez and Raphael Varane have clearly established themselves as the first-choice pairing, with the Argentinian’s availability allowing Luke Shaw to return to his usual role at left-back ahead of Tyrell Malacia. The main doubt in the back four comes down the right, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s 67th minute against Barcelona on Thursday likely paving the way for Diogo Dalot’s fresher legs to start on Sunday.

In midfield, Casemiro will provide the foundation for Fred and Fernandes to carry on as they did so well in the second half on Thursday. Fred, in particular, has felt liberated by the presence of his fellow Brazilian behind him and is enjoying the best form of his United career, while Fernandes hopes to find the key to unlocking a tight-knit defence. Magpies.

Up front is where the concern lies, but United will certainly do everything they can to get Rashford fit and the 25-year-old is likely to move into fit to start, the question is where. Wout Weghorst has only scored one goal since he arrived on loan, but the Dutchman’s pressure and energy could prove crucial in suffocating Bruno Guimaraes.

That would leave Rashford to take his usual spot on the left, with the option to slide inside when necessary as Antony hugs the right touchline. Another who has struggled since joining, the Brazilian’s introduction on Thursday saw a marked improvement in United’s pressing and his pace could cause problems for Dan Burn on Newcastle’s left.

United’s expected line-up against Newcastle: DeGea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred, Fernandez; Antony, Weghorst, Rashford.

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