In a lot of ways, this is not a usual season in the Premier League. Many of the favorites are out of the title chance already (Liverpool, Chelsea), while others are surprising candidates (Arsenal). Off course, some teams are the same as they were (Tottenham), but hey, even Manchester United are finally playing well. The Red Devils got the ideas from the first-year coach Erik ten Hag and he got rid of Cristiano Ronaldo, and all of a sudden, the Old Trafford club is in contention for the second place in the league, they have just eliminated Barcelona in the Europa League and are looking for their first trophy after six long years. They play the Carabao Cup final today, at Wembley, against another surprise of the year – Newcastle United.Here we go! 👊🏆 @ManUtd 🆚 @NUFC ⌚️ KO 4:30pm GMT#⃣ #CarabaoCupFinal #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/PgmWgkteBz— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 26, 2023 The so called ‘big six’ doesn’t like other clubs to get near them and their only moto is ‘Do as I say, not as I do’. So, when Saudi Arabia investment fund bought the Magpies, they instantly became a threat to everybody in the league, and their money became suspicious. When the club hired Eddie Howe, the results came without so called ‘big name’ players, but with aggressiveness, tough defense and a real team spirit. But in the eyes of the big clubs, who used to see Magpies just roll over when they see them, they are now ‘the most annoyed club’ in the country.This is Manchester United! 🔴⚪️⚫️#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/R1SO96vPIu— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 25, 2023 The shear frustration that they can’t beat them now (only Liverpool did it so far) was evident in Eric ten Hag’s press conference ahead of the finals.“They’re an annoying team to play against, so we have to find a way to win. They try to annoy you. We have to make sure we play our game and we focus on our game. If you see the referee wants to play an effective time, they have the lowest in the league and they are quite successful with it. So it’s up to us that we get speed in the game, and we are also then dependent on the refereeing as well. We have to make it our game, so focus on the job and playing football when the ball is in the game, it’s about that. So fully concentrated on that. Don’t get distracted from what can be, whatever is on the pitch. We have to find our way and find out the moments we can strike” said Ten Hag.Dream big. ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/hkHChefSXj— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 26, 2023 The ball has only been in play for an average of 51 minutes and 47 seconds of Newcastle’s games this season — the lowest of any Premier League club apart from Leeds. But Howe and the boys don’t care. They have only two league defeats (the best in the league) and the best defense in the league.“We are not here to be popular and to get other teams to like us. We are here to compete and to compete, we have to give everything to try and get a positive result. I’ve got no issue saying that. That is our job and that’s what we’re going to try and continue to do” said Howe.Trafalgar Square UpdateIs anybody left in Newcastle 😂#ToonArmy#TellmeMahmeMah#NUFC pic.twitter.com/aZfBy03MrA— Mick Quinn (@mickquinn1089) February 25, 2023 Newcastle United is the pure definition of a ‘sleeping giant’. The North East club was so close of winning the Premier League in at the beginning of the 21st century and then slipped and was on the wrong side of the table for the next 20 years even thou it has a huge fan base. Before Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal expanded (or built) new stadiums, Newcastle had the second highest attendance in England (after Manchester United). But the Magpies don’t have the trophies to show for. Their last one came in 1955, when they won the FA Cup, while they last travelled to Wembley in 1999, when they lost their FA Cup final to Manchester United. The whole city is buzzing and thousands of fans are already occupying the Trafalgar square in London, ahead of the big game.A debut in a cup final? A crazy twist of fate will give Karius a chance to go from villain to heroUnited are without a doubt a favorite in this match. The Red Devils have collected 16 wins from their last 20 in all competitions. Erik ten Hag’s side will also be aiming to end a run of six years without a major trophy, with their last piece of silverware coming under Jose Mourinho in the Europa League in 2017. Their top scorer Marcus Rashford will be ready after injury scare in the aftermath of a Barcelona win, and their keeper De Gea is in a lifetime form, which is not the case for the Magpies. Their keeper Nick Pope is suspended, and his deputy Martin Dubravka is cup-tied, having represented Manchester United during a loan spell earlier this season. So, the number 1 keeper will be Loris Karius. The German goalkeeper was the biggest culprit for the Reds’ 2018 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. It was also his last match for the Anfield club. That man never played at the highest level again – but he’ll play in the Carabao Cup final this weekend. His last competitive match coming in a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim on 20 February 2021. Once more, United has a big, big advantage. But it’s only one game, and everything is possible, even a Magpies win.ENGLISH LEAGUE CUPFinalSunday19:30: (2.25) Man.Utd. (3.45) Newcastle (3.40)***odds are subject to change***
