Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope's suspension for Sunday's Carabao Cup final at Wembley has given his former club an "advantage".
Pope, who has been excellent for the Magpies this season, will miss the showpiece event after being sent off during Newcastle's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at St James' Park on Saturday. The former Burnley man rushed out of his penalty area to try and beat Mohamed Salah to a long ball upfield and made the decision to handle the ball, leaving referee Anthony Taylor with no choice but to brandish a red card.
The shot-stopper, who joined the Magpies from Burnley last summer, has been outstanding between the posts this season, recording 16 clean sheets in all competitions, four of which have come in the Carabao Cup. His suspension means that former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius is set to start at Wembley in his absence, given fellow goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is cup-tied after appearing in the competition for United earlier this season.
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Though Newcastle are not a one-man team, Pope's absence will leave a huge void that needs feeling, as Newcastle go in search of their first major trophy since 1955. And for Neville, the England shot-stopper's absence has boosted United's chances of ending their own trophy drought.
"I think the toughest position on a football pitch is a goalkeeper," Neville told Sky Sports. "As much as I'm quite critical of them at times, I respect that position enormously. It's a tough position. The other is to play up front on your own.
"Newcastle not having Pope for the Carabao Cup final on Sunday is a blow to them. But it's a cup final. Newcastle will be desperate to win, just as Man United will be. But it has to be an advantage to United for Newcastle to lose such an important player.
"Man United play on Thursday night, though, against Barcelona in what is an important, monumental second leg after a brilliant game in the Camp Nou, so that might equalise it a little bit as well, that Man United have other thoughts this week.
"But it's going to be a really interesting game. I'm going to be there and I can't wait for it because it's a really intriguing story that both these clubs are desperate for a trophy."
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