Newcastle United are the bookmakers' underdogs heading into the Carabao Cup Final and one look at the form book shows why. Erik ten Hag's Manchester United have been one of the in-form sides since the Premier League resumed following the winter break for the World Cup in Qatar.
The Red Devils haven't conceded in the Carabao Cup since the third round clash with Aston Villa back in November and have lost just once in the Premier League since the aforementioned winter break. In that time, they've beaten Manchester City and won seven of their last ten top flight games.
In Europe, Manchester United have drawn away at the Nou Camp at Barcelona and will feel somewhat aggrieved not to have won in Spain. Marcus Rashford has propelled himself into world class contention with 24 goals and nine assists in domestic competitions this season.
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For Newcastle, there have been signs of slowing. The Magpies have won just two Premier League game since the winter break, drawing five, albeit remaining unbeaten until defeat to Liverpool at the weekend.
That being said, the defeat to Liverpool last time out was an uncharacteristic catalogue of errors that gifted Jurgen Klopp's side a 2-0 lead, but Eddie Howe and the Magpies know they can't afford to dwell on last weekend.
Speaking to the press this week in the build-up to the tie, Howe said: "Yeah, we're playing a team very much in form. They've got some good players, I think the manager has done a brilliant job of building momentum and turning them round from a difficult place.
"We know that we're going to have to be at our very best, embrace the occasion and hit our top levels to win."
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