Man United vs Newcastle Combined XI: Marcus Rashford and Miguel Almiron lead the attack
Manchester United and Newcastle battle it out at Wembley in the Carabao Cup Final this weekend and we’ve put together a combined XI for this fixture based on WhoScored ratings. Of those available for selection, Man Utd dominate the team with seven players to Newcastle’s four.
With Newcastle’s goalkeeper issues, David De Gea gets the nod in goal. He has an 100% save ratio in the League Cup this season and Man United have kept a joint highest four clean sheets in the competition. The Spanish stopper boasts a 70% save ratio from the 85 shots he has faced in the Premier League.
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle) – 7.62
One of the most in-form players of the season and Newcastle’s highest rated player, Kieran Trippier, is well deserving of his place in this side. The England right back has made a total of 15 tackles in the competition which is the second highest tally. He has also made more than double the crosses of any other player in the competition with 52. He has also created six big chances in the competition which is double anyone else.
Schar has been a unit at the back for the Magpies this season and his aerial presence has been key to Newcastle’s defensive success. He has won 56 aerial duals which places him in the top ten in the Premier League. Of any player to play four or more games in the Carabao Cup, Schar is averaging the winning possession in the defensive third more times than any other player with 5.75.
Lisandro Martinez (Man Utd) – 6.88
Martinez has featured on four occasions for Man Utd in the build up to the final and is averaging 68 passes per game, which is the second highest return of any player to make four apps.
Completing the defence is United’s Luke Shaw. He has having a great season and in the Premier League only Lisandro Martinez has possession more in the defensive third than Shaw’s 66 times.
Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) – 7.48
Manchester United’s captain and highest rated player, Bruno Fernandes proves time and time again that he is dependable for Man Utd. Only Che Adams has had more shots in the League Cup than Bruno Fernandes and only Kieran Trippier has created more big chances than Bruno’s three in the competition.
Casemiro has arguably been Man United’s signing of the season. He’s featured in five of United’s Carabao Cup fixtures and has assisted two of Marcus Rashford’s goals. In the Premier League no Man Utd player has made more tackles than Casemiro, with 55 tackles made.
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle) – 7.11
The second Brazilian in the combined XI, Bruno Guimaraes has featured in all six of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup fixtures. He has been an important cog in the Newcastle mechanic and has been vital in chance creation. He has made more accurate through balls than any other play in the competition, with three, and has won possession 25 times in midfield, the second highest on record.
Miguel Almiron (Newcastle) – 7.03
Almiron has been a bit of a talisman for Howe’s side and is Newcastle’s top scorer in the league with ten goals so far this season. In the Carabao Cup he’s been a menace in the opposition box and has had 22 touches in the opposition box in the League Cup.
Marcus Rashford (Man Utd) – 7.20
Marcus Rashford has directly contributed more goals in the Carabao Cup this season than any other player. The Man Utd frontman has scored five goals and provided two assists on United’s journey to the final. He has scored 16 goals since he returned from the World Cup and has found the back of the net in each of his last five matches in all competitions.
Joelinton has looked lethal in the Carabao Cup; he’s scored twice and has made seven successful dribbles which is the third highest in the competition. He picked up the highest match rating in the competition of any player from the two finalists with 9.05 against Leicester in the Quarter final.
