Newcastle take on Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley tomorrow – who would make a combined XI from the two teams?


DAVID DE GEA v Loris Karius

The Northern Echo: David De GeaDavid De Gea (Image: PA)

If Nick Pope had been in goal for Newcastle, he might well have got the nod, but with Karius set for his Magpies debut, and his first competitive appearance for anyone for two years, De Gea is a clear pick. The Spaniard is not averse to making the odd error, but as a shot-stopper, he remains as good as anyone in the Premier League and his extensive big-game experience could be crucial if things are tight tomorrow.


KIERAN TRIPPIER v Diogo Dalot

The Northern Echo: Kieran TrippierKieran Trippier (Image: PA)

Regardless of whether Manchester United line up with Diogo Dalot or Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, Newcastle’s Captain Fantastic is a shoo-in for a combined XI. Trippier will hardly be fazed at the prospect of playing at Wembley thanks to his time as an England international, not to mention his experience with Tottenham and Atletico Madrid, and he is likely to be a key performer in tomorrow’s final, both in defence and attack.


LISANDRO MARTINEZ v Fabian Schar

The Northern Echo: Lisandro MartinezLisandro Martinez (Image: PA)

There were plenty of questions levelled at Martinez when he joined Manchester United from Ajax last summer, not least because of his lack of height, but he has more than answered them over the course of the last six months. Schar has been something of a defensive revelation under Eddie Howe, but despite his undoubted improvement this season, he remains a rung or two below Manchester United’s World Cup winner.


SVEN BOTMAN v Raphael Varane

The Northern Echo: Sven BotmanSven Botman (Image: PA)

One centre-half on a clear upward trajectory against another whose career is arguably just beginning to wane – so it’s Botman who makes it. The Dutchman has oozed class and composure from the minute he stepped into Newcastle’s team following his summer switch from Lille, and is unlikely to be ruffled no matter who Manchester United select in attack. Varane is a World Cup and Champions League winner, but the Frenchman hasn’t always fully convinced in a Manchester United shirt.


LUKE SHAW v Dan Burn

The Northern Echo: Luke ShawLuke Shaw (Image: PA)

Burn has done superbly since switching to left-back, but he doesn’t boast the natural athleticism of Shaw, who has turned his career around superbly since he was frozen out under Jose Mourinho. The England international has filled in at centre-half on occasion this season, but his real strength is on the left flank, where his marauding runs are a key part of Manchester United’s preferred attacking approach.


CASEMIRO v Sean Longstaff

The Northern Echo: CasemiroCasemiro (Image: PA)

Had things turned out differently a few years ago, it might have been Longstaff putting out fires at the base of the Manchester United midfield. Instead, the Red Devils turned to Casemiro in an attempt to solve their long-running defensive-midfield problem, and the Brazilian has been absolutely integral to this season’s improvements under Erik ten Hag. A world-class performer who is as good as ever at 31.


BRUNO GUIMARAES v Fred

The Northern Echo: Bruno GuimaraesBruno Guimaraes (Image: PA)

An all-Brazilian battle, and while Fred might have got the nod to start for his country in last year’s World Cup in Qatar, Guimaraes has repeatedly outshone him on the Premier League stage this season. The Newcastle midfielder will return from a three-match suspension tomorrow, and his creative abilities and vision will be crucial to the Magpies’ hopes of lifting the trophy.


MIGUEL ALMIRON v Jadon Sancho

The Northern Echo: Miguel AlmironMiguel Almiron (Image: PA)

It is nice to see Sancho back in the Manchester United side after his personal problems, but the winger is still some way short of his best, and as a result, Almiron trumps him. The Paraguayan might not quite be hitting the levels he was producing during his goalscoring purple patch in the autumn, but he remains one of Newcastle’s leading attacking threats, with his relentless harrying and closing down integral to the Magpies’ high-pressing approach.


BRUNO FERNANDES v Joe Willock

The Northern Echo: Bruno FernandesBruno Fernandes (Image: PA)

Newcastle are hoping Willock will shake off the effects of a hamstring injury to take his place in the starting line-up tomorrow, but no matter how well he performs, he will struggle to outshine Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder has stepped out of the shadow that had previously been cast by Cristiano Ronaldo in the last couple of months, and has returned to his previous status as one of the Premier League’s leading playmakers.


MARCUS RASHFORD v Joelinton

The Northern Echo: Marcus RashfordMarcus Rashford (Image: PA)

Joelinton has been superb since Howe abandoned any attempts to play him as a central striker, but in Rashford, Manchester United boast arguably the most in-form forward in Europe at the moment. His two goals in last weekend’s win over Leicester mean he has scored 16 goals in his last 18 matches in all competitions, a remarkable sequence that proves he is right back to his very best after a season-or-so in the doldrums.


CALLUM WILSON v Wout Weghorst

The Northern Echo: Callum WilsonCallum Wilson (Image: PA)

Having joined on loan from Burnley to plug a gap during the January window, Weghorst has done reasonably well as a Manchester United player. He lacks Wilson’s goalscoring instincts though, not to mention the Newcastle striker’s turn of pace and ability to run in behind the opposition back four. Alexander Isak has shown promising signs of progress in recent weeks, but it will surely be Wilson leading the Newcastle line at Wembley.


Combined Carabao Cup final XI: De Gea; Trippier, Martinez, Botman, Shaw; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Almiron, Fernandes, Rashford; Wilson.