Former Manchester United player Wes Brown has backed Erik ten Hag to go with his strongest back four in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
The Reds face the Magpies at Wembley on Sunday afternoon as they look to win their first piece of silverware since lifting the Europa League and EFL Cup in 2017. United overcame Aston Villa, Burnley, Charlton Athletic and Nottingham Forest to reach the first cup final of the campaign.
Ten Hag has given minutes to several of his fringe players in the Carabao Cup this season, but the Dutchman is expected to go with his strongest line-up for the clash with the Magpies on Sunday. Goalkeeper David de Gea, for example, is likely to start, despite playing just once in the competition this campaign.
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However, the United manager has a number of difficult decisions to make in defence - with all of his main group of defenders having featured in the cup. Despite this, former United centre-back Brown has backed Ten Hag to go as strong as possible with his line-up.
"He has made a few changes through the different games in this competition and it's not really bothered us one bit," Brown told club media. "Harry [Maguire] and Victor [Lindelof] have both come in and done very well, so if it's needed, I'm pretty sure he's [Ten Hag] confident now with how it works.
"We've seen Luke [Shaw] come inside as well, so the defence has been a lot more solid, especially the second half of the season, so regardless of a little change here or there, I don't think it's a problem like it has been in the past couple of seasons."
When asked who he would start in defence against Newcastle, Brown replied: "I would stick with [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka to start, I think he's come back in and been exceptional. Luke, [Raphael] Varane and [Lisandro Martinez]. I think that's definitely our strongest back four.
"But even if Luke came in the middle and [Tyrell] Malacia came in and [Diogo] Dalot, there's not much in it. But I do think I'd start with his [Ten Hag] strongest line-up that is possible if everyone is fit."
United are waiting to see if the in-form Marcus Rashford will be fit enough to start against Eddie Howe's side at Wembley. The England ace sustained an apparent ankle injury in the second half of United's Europa League play-off win over Barcelona on Thursday night and was substituted in the 88th minute.
While Ten Hag admitted he was unsure if the 25-year-old would feature, Rashford travelled with the United squad to London on Saturday.
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