The numbers behind Manchester United’s 2022/23 Carabao Cup run

The Carabao Cup final is fast approaching and Manchester United have a chance to win the silver medal for the first time under Erik Ten Hag.

It’s been an excellent Carabao Cup campaign so far, and Manchester United are hoping to go all the way and cap it off with the club’s sixth League Cup title.

Here’s a look at the numbers behind United’s Carabao Cup campaign this season.

The road to Wembley

3rd Round – Manchester United 4 – 2 Aston Villa

4he Round – Manchester United 2 – 0 Burnley

Quarter-finals – Manchester United 3 – 0 Charlton

semifinal 1street Leg – Nottingham Forest 0 – 3 Manchester United

semi final 2North Dakota Match – Manchester United 2 – 0 Nottingham Forest

Total goals scored: 14

The Red Devils have scored 14 times in the Carabao Cup this season. The best of the 14 came, unsurprisingly, from Marcus Rashford. He scored two incredible solo goals in two separate games.

The first was against Burnley in United’s first game after the World Cup. He received the ball in the United half and drove it into the Burnley penalty area, before beating a defender and beating the goalkeeper at the far post.

The second came in the first leg of the semi-final at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest. It was an incredibly similar goal from United’s number 10. Rashford collected the ball in his own half, beat a couple of defenders and fired at the near post to give United an early lead.

Top scorer: Marcus Rashford (5)

Marcus Rashford’s incredible form this season has carried over to the Carabao Cup. Apart from his two wonderful goals against Burnley and Nottingham Forest, he has also scored against Aston Villa and twice against Charlton from the bench.

Rashford had never scored in a cup final at Wembley before; he will no doubt hope to correct that mistake on Sunday and add to his five goals in the Carabao Cup this season.

Most chances created: Bruno Fernandes (3)

Bruno Fernandes has been the main architect for the Red Devils in the Carabao Cup this season. The United vice-captain is always involved in whatever is good for the future, and this season’s Carabao Cup has been no different.

Although he has created three great chances, Fernandes has registered just one assist, for Antony Martial against Aston Villa, a number he will no doubt be hoping to tally on Sunday afternoon.

Most assists: Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Alejandro Garnacho (2)

Once again, Marcus Rashford leads the way in another stat in what is the best season of his career. He is tied for two assists with Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho.

Rashford’s two assists came against Nottingham Forest in the semi-final second leg at Old Trafford.

One of Casemiro’s assists came in the semi-final away to Nottingham Forest and another against Charlton. Garnacho created two goals in the same game, against Aston Villa.

The 18-year-old assisted Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay, and the selection of the two was the latter’s ticket to the end. Garnacho fired a delicious cross for the Scottish international to run towards and convert from inside the penalty area.

Average Possession – 65%

United, on average, have dominated the ball in the Carabao Cup this season. This is a true testament to Ten Hag and shows the progress United have made under the Dutchman.

It will be a tougher test on Sunday, but if United can maintain this level of possession, while creating chances at the levels they have in the Carabao Cup this season, the Red Devils will surely have an excellent chance of victory over Newcastle.

Total goals conceded – 2

Defensively this season, United have been excellent overall, and the Carabao Cup has been no different.

The two goals that conceded in the competition came just 13 minutes apart, against Aston Villa on matchday three.

Ollie Watkins has been the only opposition player to have beaten Ten Hag’s team in the Carabao Cup. Both of Villa’s second goals at Old Trafford were an unfortunate own goal by Diogo Dalot.

Clean sheets – 4

Aside from the two goals against Aston Villa, United have kept clean sheets in every other Carabao Cup game this season.

This is impressive in itself, but Ten Hag has used five different central defense combinations in the five games played so far. This has included Casemiro placing a makeshift centerpiece ad alongside Victor Lindelof against Burnley. As expected, he put on an impeccable performance.

All defensive options are available for Ten Hag to choose from on Sunday, and United will hope to continue the excellent clean sheet record they have in this season’s Carabao Cup.

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