Blog

Manchester United have a chance to win their first trophy since 2017 on Sunday when they take on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.

After beating Nottingham Forest 5-0 on aggregate in the last round of the competition, United will face Newcastle at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final following the Magpies’ semi-final victory over Southampton. Erik ten Hag’s side will enter the clash following a 4-3 aggregate win over Barcelona, ​​but Marcus Rashford was delayed late, making the striker a doubt for Sunday.

United have won this competition five times in their history, with their League Cup success coming six years ago. The two teams have met once already this season, with Newcastle holding United to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

READ ALSO: Ten Hag questions ‘annoying’ Newcastle time-wasting tactics

So can Manchester United lift the Carabao Cup trophy on Sunday afternoon? We simulated the game to find out.

We simulate Manchester United vs Newcastle to get a score prediction

To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.

We predict United could settle into a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: DeGea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred, Fernandez; Sancho, Weghorst, Garnacho.

We predict that the Magpies could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their lineup as follows: darling; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Almiron, Wilson, Joelinton.

Similar to the game against Leicester last weekend, United started the game on the right foot, with David De Dea making four saves in the first 20 minutes to keep the score level. But, after 28 minutes, Newcastle took a well-deserved lead through Bruno Guimaraes.

In his return to the Magpies squad following his suspension, the Brazilian was a standout player, wresting the ball back in midfield to help his team hammer United at half-time. After playing a one-two with Callum Wilson, the midfielder burst into the box and his driven shot was well placed, skimming past De Gea and into the far corner.

Alejandro Garnacho was close moments later when he turned Kieran Trippier and fired towards goal, but Loris Karius got a strong hand on the effort and saved the ball deflected off the post. United became more involved in the game towards the end of the half, but Newcastle doubled their lead on 45 minutes to set up a tough second-half task for United.

Joelinton beat Aaron Wan-Bissaka with a long ball down the left, freeing the Brazilian with support from Wilson. The striker received the ball from Joelinton and his original shot was blocked by Raphael Varane, but on his second attempt the striker buried his effort to make it 2-0.

In the simulation, Rashford was deemed fit enough to make the bench, and he was brought in along with Antony and Marcel Sabitzer in the second half to try to shake things up. With 15 minutes remaining, United came from a goal back.

On the left, Luke Shaw played Rashford, and as defenders surrounded the Englishman, Antony was left unmarked in the middle. Rashford chose the winger with a cross directed into the box, and a simple touch made it 2-1.
As United pressured Newcastle, Karius was brought into action on multiple occasions, the goalkeeper making some important saves to keep his team ahead. United could not find a second and Newcastle won the Carabao Cup final.

FIFA 23 Expected Final Score: Manchester United 1-2 Newcastle United

Here are the full-time match stats.

FIFA 23 predicts that United could go down 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final, with a poor first half proving Ten Hag’s downfall. Without Rashford in attack, United lacked creativity and danger, so Ten Hag is hopeful the Englishman can play a role on Sunday.

What do you think will be the final score of the Carabao Cup? Tell us in the comments!

READ NEXT: