Jamie Carragher has urged Newcastle United to 'start quick and really go after' Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final to exploit the Red Devils' congested schedule. Erik ten Hag's side travel to Wembley to face the Magpies on Sunday, just three days' on from emerging victorious from a blockbuster Europa League knockout clash with Barcelona at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are arguably the form side in the Premier League right now, having lost just once since the World Cup break to league leaders Arsenal. The Red Devils also boast one of the top-flight's most prolific forwards this term in Marcus Rashford, although the England international could be an injury doubt for Wembley.
Eddie Howe's side have not won since booking their place in the final, and suffered only their third defeat of the season in their last outing against Liverpool. Newcastle have played just three fixtures since in comparison to Manchester United's six matches, and Carragher reckons the Magpies have to capitalise on their opponent's hectic schedule.
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He told Sky Sports: "The fact that Manchester United played on Thursday night and have played a lot of games - if I was Eddie Howe I would be saying, 'You have got to start this game as if there is only half an hour left'.
"You've just got to go for it. Try and make this game as fast and as intense as you possibly can right from the start. You have to start quick and really go after Manchester United."
Loris Karius or Mark Gillespie will make their first competitive appearance of the season at Wembley, with Nick Pope suspended and Martin Dubravka cup-tied. Pope's absence is viewed by many as a damaging blow to Newcastle's prospects of lifting the trophy, and while Carragher has named the Red Devils as the favourites, he believes Howe's side have already proven they have enough about them to win without their first-choice goalkeeper.
Carragher added: "We talk about Manchester United as being fresh and energetic, but Eddie Howe and everybody behind it - they've been one of the top teams in the division this season. They went to Old Trafford and got a 0-0 draw earlier in the season, so why shouldn't they believe that they can go there and win.
"I feel Man Utd will win, and they will be favourites, and the goalkeeping issue is a problem for them, but if you are Newcastle United you've got to get that out of your head mentally and move on. It's not, 'We can't win a game of football because we haven't got Nick Pope in goal'.
"Defensively, all season, it's not just Nick Pope, the back four have got the best defensive record in the Premier League. They are a tough nut to crack. They've got to go there with energy and belief."
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