Manchester United head into Sunday's Carabao Cup final on a high following an impressive Europa League comeback against Barcelona on Thursday evening. Erik Ten Hag's men overcame Robert Lewandowski's early penalty, thanks to second-half strikes by Fred and substitute Antony, to book their place in the last-16 of the competition.
The Man United boss this week admitted he wasn't even thinking about the small matter of Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final in a matter of days time due to the importance of the European fixture. It's safe to say his players were fully focused on the task at hand with a spirited Old Trafford performance.
Newcastle have been focused on Wembley for a days, if not weeks, after getting their Premier League fixtures out the way. But what might the Magpies have learned from the Europa League tie?
Scary depth on Old Trafford bench
A frustrating first-half saw Man United facing the prospect of an early Europa exit and a subsequent end to their faint dream of the quadruple this season. As such, Ten Hag wasted no time making changes at the interval.
The Dutch boss had the luxury of introducing £86m summer addition Antony when the teams reemerged at half-time, with the winger replacing Wout Weghorst at the interval. It was an instant impact for Man United as Fred levelled the tie just two minutes into the second period.
The momentum was firmly with the Old Trafford outfit at that point and Antony proved the difference maker with 17 minutes of normal time remaining as he calmly tucked home a half-volley.
Ten Hag also introduced Man United's hottest young prospect, Alejandro Garnacho, in the second-half as he came on to replace Jadon Sancho. The Argentinian, who is fast becoming a fan favourite in the red half of Manchester, was another attacking outlet who proved instrumental in the fight back.
“That was one of the parts, of course, our game plan,” Ten Hag said of bringing the duo on. “We know if we can bring Antony, we can bring [Alejandro] Garnacho [who came on later] you get speed and you get running behind.
"You get dribbles and you get belief, and they are so brave – both – they don’t care, they don’t fear anyone, especially when you go towards the Stretford End [as in the second half], they take players on and run in behind, and I think that gives a push to the whole team.”
Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Marcel Sabitzer, Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia were also situated on the subs bench at Old Trafford during the tie, with the Red Devils now boasting a wealth of depth in their ranks. It is a huge advantage for Man United heading into Sunday when Eddie Howe's Newcastle are looking a tad light in certain areas.
To make matters worse, Man United have seen 19 goals scored by substitutes in all competitions this season, the most of any big five European league side in 2022-23...
Unstoppable Casemiro and Varane
If Newcastle want to end their agonising 68-year trophy hoodoo, they are going to need the veteran duo of Raphael Varane and Casemiro to have a rare off day. The pair, who have unsurprisingly won nine Champions League's between them, showed their class yet again on Thursday evening as Man United clawed their way back into the game.
Casemiro's summer arrival drew criticism at the beginning of the season as his new team struggled to adapt to Ten Hag's way of thinking. However, the Brazilian has since proven to be one of the signings of the season.
Casemiro was at the centre of everything against Barcelona, both in attack and defence, as he spearheaded Man United's revival. The 30-year-old took his customary yellow card in the latter stages of the clash as he cynically brought Lewandowski down as he launched a threatening counter attack.
Newcastle have been noticeably more street-smart this season as they begin to upset the Premier League apple cart. However, some of these Man United players have been there and done it on the biggest stage, time and time again, and know exactly what it takes to win cup finals.
Varane, who has found his feet alongside Lisandro Martinez this term, was the hero in the dying stages as he cleared Lewandowski's goal-bound effort off the line in added time.
Speaking at full-time, former Man United striker and current BT Sport pundit Robin van Persie said: "It’s players like Martinez, players like Casemiro - winners. Varane, these guys will get you through difficult moments in the game and they’ve been showing through the last few months that even though they were behind, I still had the feeling they could overcome it and they could come back in the game."
Fernandes out to wind players up
Speaking of experienced game-management, Bruno Fernandes was another on top of his game last night as he rattled the cages of Barcelona from minute one. Deployed out on the right and later in the centre, the Portuguese star continued his fine form in a red shirt.
Fernandes was also the instigator as a 15-man scuffle broke out between both sets of players in the second-half. The incident occured when Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong was fouled in the middle of the park as he tried to spearhead a counter attack for the Spanish side.
After De Jong hit the deck, the ball rolled away from him and into the path of Fernandes, who decided to blast it off the Dutchman's from close range. A swarm of Barcelona players immediately surrounded the Man United man as the fracas started.
Fernandes rightly received a booking for the matter and will certainly not be afraid to try and get in the faces of Newcastle players this Sunday.
It's likely the former Sporting Lisbon man will be used down the right-hand side at Wembley, meaning Dan Burn will have to be on his game. However, he could also be used in the No 10 role or further back, which could see him in a tasty battle with Joelinton or Bruno Guimaraes.
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