Bruno Fernandes was quick to poke fun at Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford after the Reds ace eventually got on the scoresheet in the win over Real Betis.
26.02.2023 - 11:17 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday with both sides looking to claim the first available trophy of the season.
United haven't brought silverware back to Old Trafford since their 2017 Europa League triumph, and Erik ten Hag has a chance this weekend to fulfil one of his first promises at the first time of asking. The Reds go into the weekend buoyed by progression into the last-16 of the Europa League, having beaten Barcelona 2-1 in the second leg on Thursday.
That clash, however, means that United have had only two full days to prepare for the final while Newcastle have been focused on Wembley since Sunday. And with top-scorer Marcus Rashford limping off in the second-half with what looked to be an ankle injury, there is concern around M16 he may not be fully fit.
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Newcastle, meanwhile, will crucially be without first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope, following his red card against Liverpool at the weekend. And with second-choice Martin Dubravka cup-tied due to having played for United in the earlier rounds, Loris Karius looks set for a rare start.
Below are the predictions of both Chris Sutton and Paul Merson, with the pair disagreeing on the eventual victor.
Chris Sutton (BBC Sport)
"Manchester United are a club with great harmony now and I have nothing but praise for the work Erik ten Hag has done there, but I don't think Sunday will be as straightforward for them as many seem to be expecting.
"Everyone is writing Newcastle off because Nick Pope is suspended and they will have to play their third-choice goalkeeper Loris Karius instead.
"Whether we like it or not, we all remember Karius for what happened in the 2018
Bruno Fernandes was quick to poke fun at Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford after the Reds ace eventually got on the scoresheet in the win over Real Betis.
Manchester United secured their spot in the last eight of the Europa League on Thursday night as Marcus Rashford’s goal earned them a 1-0 win over Real Betis in Spain.
Manchester United have one foot in the Europa League quarter-finals ahead of their second-leg clash with Real Betis tomorrow night.
It is unlikely Marcus Rashford recognised the face staring up at him. The defender was prone as he vainly shuffled his body across the saturated Old Trafford turf to try and block the inevitable shot with his head.
After producing a fantastic response to the Liverpool defeat in midweek, Manchester United will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they take on Southampton.
Southampton manager Ruben Selles expects to see "some rotation" in the Manchester United line-up this weekend with such a short turnaround from Thursday's Europa League game.
Manchester City will continue their Premier League title charge against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon and three pundits are predicting a routine win for Pep Guardiola and his star-studded team.
Joaquin admission
Real Betis captain Joaquin admitted it will be difficult for the Spanish side to progress to the next round of the Europa League after losing heavily to Manchester United in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Paul Scholes believes Facundo Pellistri has shown why he deserves more minutes on the pitch after yet another exciting cameo on Thursday's win over Real Betis.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been criticised by Paul Merson for opting to play Wout Weghorst in the deeper number 10 role against Liverpool.
Manchester United will be looking to put last week's humiliating defeat behind them as Erik ten Hag's side face Real Betis in the Europa League Round of 16.
Paul Scholes has questioned whether Wout Weghorst has the ability needed to stay on as a Manchester United player beyond his loan spell.
Paul Merson and Chris Sutton are both in agreement that Manchester United will win at Anfield on Sunday, but Mark Lawrenson has backed the home side to secure victory.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praised Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Marcus Rashford ahead of his side's meeting with Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
West Ham striker Michael Antonio has backed Manchester United to make a shock charge for the Premier League title this season.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Erik ten Hag's side will still finish above Arsenal in the Premier League table this season.
Manchester United can dare to dream about winning an unprecedented quadruple this campaign after finally ending their trophy hoodoo by lifting the Carabao Cup.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has warned Manchester City that Erik ten Hag's team will continue to be a threat to them after their Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle.
Deputising Newcastle goalkeeper Loris Karius has praised the defensive stability of Manchester United in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final triumph.