Trippier names four ‘unbelievable’ Man Utd players Newcastle will bring to their knees in League Cup final
Kieran Trippier has namechecked four “unbelievable” Man Utd players Newcastle must thwart in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.
The Red Devils and Magpies will do battle for English football’s first major trophy of the season on Sunday. Man Utd enter the Wembley showpiece as favourites and are seeking to secure their first trophy since the Europa League back in 2017.
Newcastle’s wait for silverware has dragged on substantially longer. Indeed, their last major trophy was lifted back in 1955 when defeating Man City 3-1 in the final of the FA Cup.
Newcastle did win the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 and the Intertoto Cup in 2006, though they are not considered major trophies most people’s eyes.
Newcastle have a decision to make between the sticks following Nick Pope’s untimely suspension. With Martin Dubravka cup-tied, Eddie Howe must choose between Loris Karius of Mark Gillespie.
To ensure whoever takes the gloves isn’t overworked, Newcastle must do all within their power to limit the influence of Man Utd’s stand-out stars.
Marcus Rashford clearly fits that billing having notched an incredible 16 goals since the World Cup. However, speaking ahead of the contest, Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier insisted three other Man Utd players must be given close attention.
Trippier wary of Man Utd quartet
“I know Marcus very well,” Trippier said (via the Chronicle). “I’m really happy for him because I’ve always known how unbelievable he is and he’s certainly hit some form.
“But it’s not about one individual – you’ve got Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Luke Shaw, who’s been unbelievable this season as well.
“We can’t be too focused on them. Obviously, we need to review them, of course, but we need to focus on how we can hurt them.
“We want to go into that final to win. That’s our only priority.”
Newcastle drawing on Trippier’s big-match experience
To help his side bring Man Utd to their knees on Sunday, Trippier will be drawing upon the experience he’s had in recent finals.
Trippier was on the losing end when featuring for Tottenham in the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool. He also started in England’s narrow penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy at Euro 2020.
“It’s all about experience,” added the 32-year-old. “I’ve been in some big finals where I’ve lost, but I’m grateful to be in another final and have the opportunity to try and win another cup.
“I just try to help my team-mates. I said when I first arrived that I want to help everyone around me on and off the pitch and try and help the club move forward.
“Fast forward a year and we’re in a Carabao Cup final so we have taken huge steps.”
The EFL Cup final will kick off at 4:30pm on Sunday.
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